Eastern Stories and Legends

by Unknown

THE MONKEY THAT SAVED THE HERD

This is one of the most practical stories in the collection, showing that for success in leadership it is necessary to have a quiet mind, a great deal of knowledge, and a firm belief in success. This is the way ogres are outwitted. The frank laying down of his cards, his open declaration of his plans to the enemy, present the Bodisat at his best.

There is an unconscious note of humor in this tale, in presenting a monkey as possessed of such complete self-control as to be able to bring about so great a miracle, but if any explanation is offered in the telling of these tales, it should be that, whatever the outward form, the Buddha preserves the attribute of a god.