Eastern Stories and Legends

by Unknown

I have hesitated to include this story as beyond the range of children but I leave it for the abnormal child who may value the joy of solitude.

THE RICE MEASURE

The King falls easily into the trap that is laid for him. His craving for greed leads him to appoint a fool and the fool leads to his failure.

THE POISONOUS TREES

Here we have the skill of knowledge. The Bodisatta knows how to distinguish the mango tree from the What-fruit tree, and to save the life of those who had eaten therefrom.

THE WELL-TRAINED ELEPHANT

Here we have the Bodisatta ready to do the miracle that he may convince the King that he is unworthy to possess him. The whole picture is very striking and the story lends itself to dramatic effect.

THE WISE PHYSICIAN

I am indebted to Sir Robert Morant, K.C.B., who has kindly been interested in the preparation of my book as a whole, for the suggestion that I should include this story (although it is not one of the series of Buddha Re-Birth Stories to which all the others belong), also for the reminder of this special version—namely, the woman’s own recognition, through her personal experience, of the impermanence of those things which seem to be lasting.