This story should be told as dramatically as possible, because it is full of action and will hold the children quite breathless. The little touch of the lion objecting at first to be roused at an unreasonable hour is delightfully human, and the fact that when he realizes the necessity he is ready to help, is worthy of his high position among the animals.
GRANDMOTHER’S GOLDEN DISH
This story is specially useful because since rogues are so often successful in the ordinary sense, and we are bound to admit this ordinary success, it is well that a graphic description of the triumph of honesty should be presented to children which will at once appeal to their sense of fairness.
THE ELEPHANT THAT SPARED LIFE
This may seem a little too lofty for the children, but I think it well to include a few stories where the standard may seem too high and the action quixotic. In later years they will realize the philosophy of the story, but the dramatic interest will appeal at once.
HOW THE ANTELOPE WAS CAUGHT
This is an admirable treatise on the relative value of things which children are quick to see. It should be told with increasing dramatic force up to the final run of the foolish antelope who has sacrificed his liberty to his greed.
THE BANYAN DEER
This is one of the most beautiful of all the Jataka stories. I have given the whole as translated from the Buddhist Birth Stories, only leaving out parts of the description. Any curtailed edition of the action of this story, leaving out the tenderness of the Bodisat for the deer that is “with young,” robs the story of its most beautiful meaning.