JAI SRI RAM

STORIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Compiled by S.Geethapriya Price Rs. 22.00 Published by

Sri Aanjineyaa Pathippagam

1849, P.K.N ROAD, MUTHU CYCLE COMPLEX, BYE PASS ROAD, SIVAKASI-626 189 CELL : 90034 - 58722

CONTENTS
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. Friends Family Misfortunes The Short-sighted Brothers Force of Habit 5 8 1 3 1

CONTENTS
13. Making Haste Slowly 14. The Dissatisfied Devotee 15. Stomach Problems 16. Learning from the Enemy 17. Butterfly Lovers 18. The Root of the Matter 19. Dreams 20. Not True 21. Secret of Casket 22. Royal Servant 23. The Generous Student 5 5 5 7 6 0 6 4 6 8 7 4 7 7 8 0 8 4 9 0 9

9 The Fisherman Who Rose Too 2 High Wish List Double Trouble Little One Inch The Tiger's whisker Why Crows are Black Top Answers Disputed Waters 2 2 8 3 2 3 5 3 9 4 3 4 8 5 3

1. Friends (Africa)
A mouse and a frog were friends. Every morning the frog would hop out of his pond and go to visit his friend who lived in a hole in the side of a tree. He would return home at noon. The mouse delighted in his friends company unaware that the friend was slowly turning into an enemy. The reason? The frog felt slighted because made though an he visited to the mouse him. everyday, the mouse on his part, had never attempt visit

to

the

mouses

tail,

and

hopped

away,

dragging the hapless mouse behind him.

The frog dived deep into the pond. The mouse tried to free himself but couldnt, and soon drowned. His bloated body floated to the top. A hawk saw the mouse floating on the ponds surface.

One day he felt he had been humiliated enough. When it was time for him to take leave of the mouse, he tied one end of a string around his own leg, tied the other end

He swooped down, and grabbing the mouse in his talons, flew to the branch of a nearby tree. The frog, of course, was hauled out of the water too. He desperately tried to free himself, but couldnt and the hawk soon put an end to his struggles. In Africa they have a saying: Dont dig too deep a pit for your enemy, you may fall into it yourself.

2. Family Misfortunes
(A tale from Bhutan) The Dough family was an unusual one. The head of the family, Dough, as his name suggested, was a ball of dough. His wife was a slab of butter. They had two children, Ant and Cotton.

One morning, Mother Butter asked her son, Ant to go and get some resin from the mepche tree, as resin made good fuel. "Stay away from fresh resin," she cautioned. "You could get stuck. Get a small dried piece."

10

"She thinks I'm still a baby," thought Ant as he climbed jauntily up the tree. "She doesn't know how strong I've become." He saw a big blob of resin emerging from a crack and rushed forward to grab it. And of course he got stuck.

advice and walk down the middle of the road, I could get crushed by the carts going by. I'm safer at the edge."He zoomed to the edge of the road, lost his balance and went rolling down the side of the steep hill.

When he didn't return, Father Dough decided to go in search of him. "Don't go too near the edge of the road," said his wife. "You could easily slip and roll down the side.""What does she know?" thought Dough as he rolled out of the house. "If I follow her

When her husband did not return, Mrs. Dough asked her daughter, Cotton, to go out and look for him. "Take care not to walk in open spaces, my child," warned Mother Dough as Cotton got ready to leave. "You could get blown away by the wind." Cotton thought her mother was being too

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fussy and went dancing down the street. Then disregarding her mother's advice she decided to take a short cut across a meadow. She didn't even get halfway. A gust of wind picked her up and carried her away into the mountains. So ends the story of the Dough family which perished because nobody wanted to be told what to do.

Mother Butter waited for her family to return. The day got hotter and hotter and Mother Butter began to melt and became smaller and smaller till finally there was nothing left of her except a puddle of liquid.

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3. The Short-sighted Brothers (China)

Three elderly brothers, all very short-sighted, lived in a large house on the outskirts of a city, in China. One day the youngest brother suggested that he should take charge of the finances. Elder brothers sight is so bad, he cannot see how much money hes receiving or giving, he said, and people take advantage of his disability. As if you can see better, sneered the secondyoungest brother. If youre saying our finances should be handled by the one who has the best sight, then it is I who should be given charge. I can see better than either of you. I have my doubts about that, said the eldest brother.

Lets settle this once and for all. Ive heard the monastery is putting up a tablet inscribed with a saying, above the main doorway, tonight. Lets go there tomorrow and test our vision. Whoever can read the inscription with the least strain will get charge of our money. Agreed?

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Agreed, said his brothers in unison. Good! Now go away and let me get a few winks. As soon as they had gone, the eldest brother sneaked out of the house and went to the monastery where he met a monk. Ive heard youre putting up an inscription over the doorway, he said. Can you tell me what the inscription reads? Certainly. Its a quotation from Confucius. It reads: Be Honest At All Times." The brother went away chuckling at his cleverness. A little later the second brother arrived there. Can you tell me what the inscription you are going to put up over the doorway reads? he said to the monk.Everybody seems to want to know, said the man.

"It reads: Be Honest At All Times. Is there any decoration around it? The tablet has a flowery border. The second brother went away very pleased with himself. Hardly had he gone when the third brother arrived there. He too enquired about the inscription and on being told what it was, asked if there was any other writing on it. Only the donors name, Wang Lee, at the bottom, said the monk. The next morning the three brothers made their way to the monastery. Theres the inscription, said the oldest when they drew near the entrance. I can clearly make out the writing. It reads: Be Honest At All Times.

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Your sight is better than I thought, said the second brother. But definitely not better than mine. Can you see the decoration around the inscription? Decoration? What decoration? Theres a floral decoration all around the tablet, said the brother, triumphantly. Very good, very good, applauded the youngest brother. But can either of you see any other writing on the tablet besides the inscription? Other writing? intoned the second brother, his face falling. What other writing is there? The name of the donor, Wang Lee, said the youngest brother, pointing. Cant you see it? Its at that corner.

The monk they had talked to the previous evening came out of the monastery just then. Oh, youve come to see the inscription, he said. So sorry. We couldnt put it up yesterday evening. We are going to put it up today.

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4. Force of Habit (Europe)

One day a man found a book in his attic. The book was so old that the papers were yellow and some of the pages crumbled as he turned them. He discovered that it was a book on magic but try as he might he could not understand any portion of it except one paragraph. The paragraph stated that on the shores of the Black Sea there was a pebble that could turn anything it was touched to into gold. This pebble, the ancient writer said, could be distinguished from the others only by touching it : unlike the other pebbles it was warm to the touch.The man went to the shores of the Black Sea and began to search for the pebble. From morning to night he would pick up pebbles and feel them. To ensure that he did not pick up the same pebble twice he would fling every pebble he picked up, far out into the sea. The days stretched into weeks and then into months. A year passed. Then another. The man went on looking for the pebble.

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But every pebble he picked up was as cold as ice and he flung them away as fast as he picked them. Now he had become so expert at it that he could pick up a pebble and fling it into the sea with one smooth action. One evening as he was wearily leaving the beach after another days search he saw a pebble in front of him. He picked it up. It was warm. But out of force of habit he flung it far out into the sea!

5. The Fisherman Who Rose Too High (Europe)

A fisherman, enfeebled with age, could no longer go out to sea so he began fishing in the river. Every morning he would go down to the river and sit there fishing the whole day long. In the evening he would sell whatever he had caught, buy food for himself and go home. It was a hard life for an old man. One hot afternoon while he was trying to keep awake and bemoaning his fate, a large bird with silvery feathers alighted on a rock near him.It was Kaha, the heavenly bird. "Have you no one to care for you, grandpa?" asked the bird.

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"Not a soul." "You should not be doing such work at your age," said the bird. "From now on I'll bring you a big fish every evening. Sell it and live in comfort." True to her word, the bird began to drop a large fish at his doorstep every evening. All that the fisherman had to do was take it to the market and sell it. As big fish were in great demand, he was soon rolling in money. He bought a cottage near the sea, with a garden around it and engaged a servant to cook for him. His wife had died some years earlier. Now he decided to marry again and began to look for a suitable woman. One day he heard the royal crier make an announcement.

"Our king has news of a great bird called Kaha," said the crier. "Whoever can give information about this bird and help catch it, will be rewarded with half the gold in the royal treasury and half the kingdom!" The fisherman was sorely tempted by the reward. Half the kingdom would make him a prince!"Why does the king want the bird?" he asked. "He has lost his sight," explained the crier. "A wise man has advised him to bathe his eyes in the blood of a Kaha bird. Do you know where it can be found?" "No...I mean...no, no...." Torn between greed and his sense of gratitude to the bird, the fisherman could not give a coherent reply. The crier, sensing that he knew something about the bird,

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informed the king. The king had him brought to the palace. "If you have information about the bird, tell me," urged the king. "I will reward you handsomely and if you help catch it, I will personally crown you king of half my domain." "I will get the bird for you," cried the fisherman, suddenly making up his mind. "But Kaha is strong. I'll need help." The king sent a dozen men with him. That evening when the bird came with the fish, the fisherman called out to her to wait. "You drop the fish and go and I never get a chance to thank you for all that you've done for me," he said. "Today I've laid out a feast for you inside. Please alight and come in."

The Kaha was reluctant to accept the invitation but the fisherman pleaded so earnestly that she finally gave in, and alighted.

The moment she was on the ground, the fisherman grabbed one of her legs and shouted to the soldiers hiding in his house to come out.

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They rushed to his aid but their combined effort could not keep the Kaha down. She rose into the air with the fisherman still clinging onto her leg. By the time he realized he was being carried away, the fisherman was too high in the air to let go. He hung on grimly, and neither he nor the Kaha were ever seen again. His

6. Wish List (France)

troops, led by four was of in a his finest

commanders won a great battle for him, and Napoleon he said Bonaparte to the generous who had mood.Ask for anything and Ill give it to you, four officers distinguished themselves. Ive always wanted a house in Paris, said one of the men, a German. Done! said Napoleon. Youll get a mansion in the city. Ive always desired to own a hotel, said the second officer, a Frenchman. Done! said the emperor. Ill order a hotel to be given to you. Ive always wanted a brewery, said the

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third man, a Pole. Done! said the emperor. I will give you a brewery! And you, sir? he said, turning to the fourth man. What will you have? Grant me a fortnights leave, said the man.

Now the fourth man happened to be a Jew, and in those days at least, Jews were supposed to be shrewd and possess great business acumen. So his colleagues were surprised that he had asked for so little. They felt he had missed a rare opportunity to become rich, and were elated that they themselves had kept their wits about them and asked for worthwhile things. They asked him about it when they ran into him later that day. Why did you ask for so little? they taunted him. Did courage fail you? You asked for a lot, replied the Jew. But you must remember that the emperor is a busy man.

Done! said the emperor. Your leave begins from tomorrow!

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He

will

order

his

secretary

to

fulfill

his

7. Double Trouble (Indonesia)

Jamal was a lazy, good-for-nothing fellow. He lounged about the house all day, much to his wife Fatimas annoyance. One day, Fatima told her husband to dig the patch of land outside their hut.Ill borrow a spade from our neighbor, she said. Then we can plant some vegetables. Jamal agreed reluctantly. The soil was hard and he was soon tired. He leaned against the spade for a moment, then, hearing Fatimas voice, he quickly resumed digging. Thunk! His spade struck metal. Jamal excitedly scraped away the mud. It was a big cooking pot. As Jamal leaned over to see if there was anything in it, his pouch of tobacco and some coins fell into the pot.

promises. His secretary too is a busy man. He will pass on the order to his assistant who too is a busy man. So the emperors order will go down from subordinate to subordinate and finally in the course of a few monthsitll get lost! Well appeal to the emperor! shouted the Frenchman. The emperor will not know what youre talking about, said the Jew. By then our great victory will have become a dim memory. You should have asked for something that the emperor could give immediately like I did. Now, if youll excuse me gentlemen, I have work to do. And leaving the three officers gaping, the Jew went off to arrange for his holiday.

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Jamal bent to retrieve them, then jumped back in surprise. There were now two pouches and double the number of coins! Come quickly! he called to Fatima. Look what Ive found! When Fatima came over, she was so excited that she put the coins in four or five times. Soon there was a tidy pile of money. She stooped to collect the coins and lost her balance. Into the pot she fell and out came two Fatimas, one a mirror image of the other.

They immediately set to squabbling over Jamal. Jamal stood irresolute for a moment, then jumped into the pot. The new Jamal refused to leave with his wife till they were given an identical set of possessions right down to a blanket with two holes. But how did he recognize his wife? She was a mirror image so her nose ring was on the left nostril, while the real Fatima had always worn hers on the right!

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8. Little One Inch (Japan)

Once long ago in Japan there lived a couple who had no children. They prayed to the gods for a child, even one as small as a finger, and finally their prayers were answered. The child born to them was so small that they named him Issun Boshi, 'Little One Inch'. When Issun Boshi reached the age of 15, he said goodbye to his parents and set out for Kyoto, the capital city, to seek his fortune. In Kyoto he found employment in a wealthy household. He could not do much work because of his size, but his diligence and sincerity pleased his master and his mistress. And their daughter found him delightful. One day Issun Boshi accompanied

the girl to the temple. On the way, two giants leaped out in front of them from behind some bushes.Issun Boshi deliberately drew their attention to him so that the girl could escape. But then the giants were furious with him and one of them picked him up and swallowed him. Issun Boshi had a needle his mother had given him. He used to wear it around his waist like a sword. When he found himself in the giant's stomach he took out the needle from its scabbard and began to stab the giant's stomach with it. Then climbing out through the gullet he stormed into the giant's mouth where he wreaked havoc with his needle. The giant was frightened and spat him out. When the other giant bent down to look at

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him, Issun Boshi stabbed him in the eye. The giants had had enough. They ran away, one holding a hand to his mouth and the other to his eye. In their haste they left behind a mallet which Issun Boshi and the girl she had come back to help him recognized as a magical object.

"You have to hit it on the ground and make a wish," said the girl. So they hit the mallet on the ground and made a wish. The next moment, Issun Boshi had grown to normal size and stood clad in the armor of a samurai! The girl's father had no hesitation in giving his daughter in marriage to Issun Boshi, and the young samurai proved to be a devoted husband. Oh, yes, he brought his parents too to live with him and them, though happy to see their dear son grown so big, continued to call him Issun Boshi!

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9. The Tiger's whisker (Korea)

An old hermit lived in the Lun Mountains of Korea. Many people sought his advice for he was a font of wisdom and was knowledgeable in the magical arts. One day, a woman came and pleaded with him to help her regain her husbands affection. "He was so loving and caring before he left for the wars," she explained. "He has returned after three years but now he is cold and aloof." "War does these things to men," said the hermit. "They say you can make a potion that can kindle love in the person who consumes it," said the woman.

"I could make such a potion, it is true, but I lack one of the ingredients that go into its making." "What is this ingredient?" asked the woman. "It is a tigers whisker." The woman left promising to get what he wanted. The very next day she went in search of a tiger and finally saw one on the banks of a river. The tiger snarled when he saw her and she retreated. She returned to the spot the next day. Again the tiger snarled and again she retreated. But she kept going to the place and gradually the animal got used to her presence and stopped snarling. She began to bring him food. In course of time the tiger became so friendly that he would come right up to her to take the food.

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One day she timidly reached out and patted his head. A few days later she ran her hand down the side of his face. And then one day she deftly pulled out one of his whiskers.

He took the whisker to the fireplace and dropped it into the fire. "W-what have you done!" said the woman, aghast. "You promised to make me a magic potion!" "You dont need one," said the hermit, softly. "Tell me, how did you win the tigers affection? Through gentleness and a great deal of patience. Would a man be less responsive than a savage and blood thirsty beast? Go and win over your husband as you did the tiger." The woman turned over what the hermit had said, in her mind as she slowly made her way home. When she saw her husband her first instinct was to turn away, then remembering the tiger and the hermits words, she checked herself and moved forward, a smile on her face.

She rushed to the hermits house with the whisker. "Ive got it!" she said, triumphantly. "Good," said the hermit.

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10. Why Crows are Black (Myanmar)

The Sun while going on his daily rounds saw a princess and fell in love with her. Whenever he could slip away from the heavens he would take human form and go down to the princess to spend some time with her. The princess too became quite fond of him and would wait for him to come. One day the Sun decided to send her a bloodred ruby as a token of his love for her. He put the gem in a silken bag, and calling a crow that was flying past, asked the bird to deliver the gem to his beloved. Crows had milky white feathers in those days and it was considered auspicious if a crow came anywhere near you. So the Sun was pleased

that he had found a crow to deliver the gem. As the crow sped through the sky with the silken bag, the aroma of food reached its nostrils. Looking down it saw that a wedding feast was in progress, and immediately it was distracted from its mission. Food was one thing it could never resist! Alighting on a tree nearby, it hung the bag on a twig and went off to find some food. While the crow was feasting, a merchant passing by saw the bag on the tree, and knocked it down with a pole. When he opened the bag and saw its contents he almost swooned in joy. Quickly pocketing the ruby, he filled the bag with dry cow dung that was lying there, and then deftly returned the bag to the branch.

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The princess was in the garden. When the crow gave her the bag, she took it eagerly, knowing that it was from the Sun. But when she saw its contents she reeled back in shock and anger.
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It fell out of his pocket and rolled into a deep pit. Men have been trying to dig it out ever since. Many precious stones have been found in the process, making Burma (now Myanmar) one of the richest sources of rubies and sapphires, but the ruby that the Sun sent to the princess has yet to be found. It was all done so quickly that the crow missed all the action. After having its fill, it flew up to the tree, and picking up the bag took it to the person it was intended for.

Believing that it was the Suns way of telling

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11. Top Answers (Nepal) her that he did not care for her, she flung the

bag away, rushed to her palace, and never came out again. Bhupendra Prasad had spent a huge sum on When the Sun learnt of what had happened he his only sons wedding which had been was furious. So great was his anger that when celebrated with pomp and splendor. he turned his scorching gaze on the crow, its A few weeks after the wedding, Bhupendra, feathers were burned black. wanting to test his daughter-in-laws Its feathers have been black ever since. intelligence asked her: Can you guess how The story goes on to tell us that the ruby did much I spent on your wedding? not stay with the man who stole it. About the cost of a sack of rice, said the woman. Her father-in-laws mouth dropped open in astonishment. The cost of a sack of rice! he spluttered. You foolish girl, I spent a fortune on your wedding! The woman said nothing. Shes a nitwit, thought Bhupendra.

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A nitwit! My poor son! A few weeks later, while they were all going to a relatives wedding they met up with a funeral procession. Who has died? asked Bhupendra, stopping a mourner. Is it just one corpse or a hundred? asked his daughter-in-law.

Bhupendra,

greatly

embarrassed walked

by

his away

daughter-in-laws

question,

without waiting for the mourners answer. Presently they came upon labourers working in a field. Looks like you had a good harvest! shouted Bhupendra. But are you reaping this years harvest or last years? asked his daughter-in-law. Your wife is mad! said Bhupendra to his son. Mad! She talks nonsense! Does she? Dont pretend you dont know! roared his father. Didnt you hear the silly questions she asked? Her questions may not be as silly as they seem, said his son.

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Why not ask her to explain? Bhupendra did not say anything. But later when advice. Tell me, he said, what did you mean when you asked the mourner whether they were carrying one corpse or a hundred? Some man I men have scores lives are of dependents, His were explained the young woman. When such a dies many the shattered. they dependents die with him, in a way. That is why asked mourner whether carrying one corpse or a hundred. What did you mean when you asked those laborers whether they were harvesting this years crop or last years? These laborers are perennially in debt, he found himself alone with his daughter-in-law he decided to act on his sons

explained

the

daughter-in-law.

was

enquiring whether they were working to pay off last years debt or had paid it all and were beginning anew. Bhupendra now realized that his daughter-inlaw, far from being a nitwit, was probably cleverer than he was. One last question, he said. Why did you say I spent only the equivalent of the price of a sack of rice for your wedding when you know full well I spent a fortune? What you spent on the essentials of the marriage amounted to only a few hundred rupees, smiled the young woman. The rest you spent to uphold and enhance your prestige. In other words, not on the marriage but on yourself.

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12. Disputed Waters (Persia)

A man sold a well to a farmer, but when the farmer went to draw water from it, stopped him and said: "I sold you the well but not the water. You will have to pay separately for the water."

The farmer of course refused and the case was taken to a Kazi (judge). After hearing both sides the Kazi said to the man who had sold the well: "Since you sold only the well, you have no right to keep your water in it. Pay a rent to this farmer for using his well or take your water out at once!" The man realized that he had been outwitted, and bowing to the Kazi quietly left the court.

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13. Making Haste Slowly (Philippines)

A trader bought a large number of coconuts at a village, and loading them on to his horse cart set off for home. Encountering a boy, a little later, he asked him how long it would take to reach the main road. It took the man a long time to gather all the coconuts and put them back in the cart. Afterwards, he climbed back wearily into the drivers seat, and with the boys words ringing in his ears, drove slowly and cautiously the rest of the way. Go slowly, and youll reach it in ten minutes, replied the lad, but if you go fast itll take you half an hour or more. Fool! shouted the trader, and drove away at breakneck speed. Fifty meters down the road, one of the wheels struck a stone. The jolt sent the coconuts flying in all directions.

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14. The Dissatisfied Devotee (Rome)

Many tales are told about Neptune the Roman god of the sea. Neptune was said to be one of the most generous of the gods. One day a woman who lived close to the sea went down to the beach and began singing songs in his praise. Finally the god came to the surface and asked her what she wanted. I want a cow, said the woman. The next moment there was a cow standing beside her. The woman was thrilled. She began singing another song. At the end of it there was another cow beside her. The woman went on singing and every time she

stopped for breath there would be another cow on the beach. The beach was small and so as the number of cows started growing it

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started getting crowded. Finally there was just enough room for her to stand. Yet the woman was not satisfied. There was a large rock at her feet. She felt that if she removed the rock there would be place for one more cow there. So she picked it up and summoning all her strength heaved it into the sea. Unfortunately for her, Neptune himself was coming to the surface at that moment to bestow his blessings on his devotee. The rock hit him on the head. The god was so angry he dived back into the waters taking with him all the cows he had given the woman.

15. Stomach Problems (Myanmar)

In Burma, in days gone by, a wealthy landlord decided to build a rest house for wandering monks. He invited, or rather, commanded the men of the village over which he held sway, to work You will on earn merit the by this project. work, he

announced, so I will not pay you. Nobody wanted to displease him so all the able-bodied men of the village came to help. All except the village simpleton. He sat on a log and watched the others work, marveling at their industry. The landlords blood boiled when he spotted the idler.

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I would have liked to work on this noble undertaking, said the simpleton, rising to his feet, but my stomach is empty. Who can work on an empty stomach? Seeing that the man was of robust build and capable of contributing massively to the task on hand, the landlord ordered his servants to feed him. This took a long time as the man kept on asking for second and third helpings of the food that was being served to him. But finally he pushed his plate aside, belched loudly and went to wash. Then he returned to the site. The landlords blood boiled when he spotted the idler. Why arent you working! he hollered. Some time later the landlord went to inspect the work and was furious when he saw the simpleton again sitting idly on the log.

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Why I

arent

you

working! to work

he

roared. said the

16. Learning from the Enemy (Japan)

A samurai warrior slew his master in a fit of rage. He repented immediately but the deed was done and he knew that if he was caught he would be put to death. He fled. His wanderings took him to a remote village that was separated from the rest of the world by a mountain. The path across the mountain was narrow and treacherous and many villagers had lost their lives while traversing it. The murderer decided to atone for his sin by single-handedly cutting a road through the mountain to end the isolation of the village. He worked from dawn to dusk and in four

would I

have want

liked to

work, on

simpleton, rising to his feet. Indeed this noble undertaking. But my stomach is full. Who can work on a full stomach?

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years

had

penetrated

halfway

into

the

helping the mandigging side by side with him and carrying out the rubble. Years passed and then one day the two men broke through to the other side. The mountain had been conquered at last and the centuriesold isolation of the village had been ended.

mountain. One morning when he was hard at work in the tunnel, a young man called out to him to come out. He was the son of the man who had been murdered. He wanted revenge. I deserve to die, said the former samurai. Slay me by all means but wait until Ive completed this tunnel. The young man agreed to wait. He watched fascinated as day after day the samurai labored at a seemingly impossible task. The rocks he was digging through were so massive that at the end of a days work they seemed not to have been touched at all. The young man began to develop a grudging respect for his enemys tenacity and determination. Eventually he found himself

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Now I am ready to die, said the samurai, kneeling before the young man. Cleave my head in two. The youth raised his sword with a cry, the blood rushing to his head. At last his fathers death would be avenged. But he found he could not bring himself to do it. Slowly he lowered his sword. Youre a murderer, he said. But Ive learnt much from you in these last few years. How can I harm my teacher? And he sheathed his sword and walked away.

17. Butterfly Lovers (China)

Long ago in China, at a time when girls were expected to stay at home and learn household work while the boys went to school, a girl named Zhu conceived a desire to study. Her family was wealthy and Zhu was pampered but her father did not want to go against tradition. When she pestered him he told her if she got admission into a school he would not stop her from studying. He was confident that no school would admit a girl. But Zhu was resourceful. She disguised herself as a boy and managed to get admission into a school in the city of Hangzhou, where her aunt lived.

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Every morning she would put on her disguise and go to school. There was a boy named Liang in her class. The two were drawn to each other, and in course of time became good friends. As the months and the years passed they became inseparable companions, and Zhu realized that she was in love. She wanted to stay with Liang the rest of her life. She thought of a plan. She told Liang that when they finished school, and he had got a job he should come to her house and ask her father for her sisters hand. Liang readily agreed. He too did not want to lose Zhu. If he married her sister they could continue to meet. After finishing school, Liang lost no time in taking up a job, and when he had saved

enough to get married he hastened to Zhus house. Zhu saw him coming, and was overjoyed. It was a year since they had parted and she had missed him terribly. Unable to restrain herself she rushed out shouting, Im your friend, as you can see Im a girl, I cannot live without you! Liang was dazed by the revelation, but soon recovered and caught Zhu in a warm embrace. Suddenly everything had fallen into place. Now he knew why he had felt such a strong love for Zhu. Zhu took him to her father who listened attentively to what Liang had to say, but when the young man asked for Zhus hand, he shook his head. He told Liang that Zhu had already been

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promised to another man, a wealthy merchant. Nothing that Liang said could make Zhus father change his mind. Liang left, shattered. He felt frighteningly alone. The thought that he would never see Zhu again filled him with pain. On the way, he collapsed and died.

When Zhu learnt of Liangs death she lost all desire to continue living. She pretended to agree to the marriage arranged for her on condition that the wedding procession passed by Liangs grave. As grew the wedding Zhu procession jumped neared from the her cemetery the wind began to howl and the sky dark. down palanquin and rushing to Liangs grave threw herself on it, sobbing uncontrollably. A peal of thunder suddenly rent the air. The next moment, a bolt of lightning hit the grave, breaking it open. Zhu leapt into it. The storm subsided as quickly as it had started. When Zhus relatives reached the grave and peered into it, all they saw at first was an empty coffin.

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Then out flew two butterflies, dancing as if they could not believe they were together. And as the people standing around the grave watched in fascination and bewilderment the two lovely butterflies flew out of sight.

18. The Root of the Matter (Africa)

A porcupine came and asked a dog for food. The dog said he had no food but showed him a field of sugarcane belonging to a judge. "Eat as much as you want," said the dog, "but leave the roots intact so that the plants will grow again." The porcupine found the sugarcane sweet and juicy. He began to visit the field every day. In the beginning he ate only the stems, as directed by the dog, but after a few days he began to eat the roots too. One day the judge saw the destruction in his field and was very angry. He called the dog and accused him of destroying his crop. The

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dog said it was the porcupine who was to blame. The porcupine said he was innocent and suggested that the matter be settled in court. The judge agreed. The porcupine waited till winter set in. Then one chilly morning he went to the dog's house and told him the judge had summoned them. When they entered the judge's chamber the dog began to shiver with the cold.

"See how he trembles, Your Honor," said the porcupine. "Isn't that a sure sign of guilt?" "What do you have to say for yourself?" asked the judge, looking sternly at the dog. But the dog's teeth were chattering with the cold and he could not speak. Thinking that his silence was an admission of guilt, the judge pronounced him guilty and kicked him out of the house. Whenever a dog barks incessantly, Africans say he is warning the judge that the porcupine has got into his field.

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19. Dreams (Nepal)

An owl had its home in a tree under which an elephant used to come to spend the night. In course of time the two became good friends. One evening, the elephant while looking for food, blundered into a gathering of demons. On seeing the elephant, the demon-king began to shout: "It's him, it's him!" "Who is he, O king?" asked his attendants. "Last night, I dreamt I ate an elephant," said the demon. "It looked remarkably like this one here. Catch him and let me eat him so that my dream may come true." The demons caught the elephant who was so terrified that he put up no resistance whatsoever. His knees began to buckle as the king,

accompanied by his queen, began to advance on him, teeth bared. Suddenly his friend, the owl, came swooping down, shrieking: "It's her! It's her!" and settled on the elephant's head. The king stopped dead in his tracks.

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"Who are you referring to, bird?" he growled. "The queen," said the owl. "Last night I dreamt I married her. Please marry us so that my dream may come true." "I will never marry an owl!" declared the demoness. "And nobody is asking you to, my dear," said the king who was mightily afraid of her. "Dreams are not to be taken seriously. See, here is the elephant I ate in my dream but I'm letting him go." The elephant lumbered away, muttering thanks to his friend.

20. Not True (Japan)

Mr. Kitchom loved to listen to stories, but at the end of the tale he would invariably exclaim, "That can't be true!" One day he was standing at the gate of his house when he saw the village schoolmaster going by. He called out to him and begged him to tell him a story. "On one condition," said the teacher. "When I finish, you should not say 'That can't be true.' If you say that, I'll be entitled to a sack of grain from your house." "Agreed," said Mr. Kitchom. "I'll tell you the story of a great lord who lived in China a long time ago," said the teacher.

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One day this aristocrat got into his palanquin to go to the governor's palace. On the way he heard a bird crying 'preeep.... preeeeep.' When he peered out the bird soiled his robe with its droppings. "The lord sent his servant back for a new robe and when he had brought it he took off the soiled robe, threw it away and put on the new one. Then they resumed the journey. A little later the bird called out again and when the lord peered out it soiled his sword with its droppings. The nobleman sent his servant back for a new sword and when he had brought it, gave the soiled one to the servant and kept the new one. "The lord made up his mind not to look out if the bird cried out again, but when it did he could not resist looking out and this time the

bird dropped its load directly on his head.

"The lord sent his servant to bring him a new head and when he had brought it, cut

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off his own with his sword......" "Oh, but that can't be true!" blurted Mr. Kitchom. "No, it can't," "but agreed you've the teacher, the triumphantly, uttered

21. Secret of Casket (China)

On her 75th birthday, Ah-ling distributed her wealth among her four sons and announced that she would spend three months of the year with each son, in turn. The arrangement worked well for a while and then the old woman found that the welcome she received at each son's house was becoming less and less cordial. Finally she began to feel positively unwanted. Now she saw her sons in their true colors. Money meant everything to them; people came second. One day, Ah-ling's friend, Jing-mei, came to see her. Jing-mei was distressed to find her

prohibited phrase and you agreed to forfeit a sack of rice as penalty!" "Did I?" said Mr. Kitchom, slyly. "That can't be true."

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friend in such an unhappy state and advised her on what she should do. Afterwards, Jingmei tearfully embraced her friend, and left. A few days later, towards sundown, Ah-ling went out without telling anyone where she was going and returned an hour later, her clothes covered in mud. "Where did you go?" asked her son, and then seeing that she was holding a small ornamental chest, hurried to her, his gaze riveted on the casket. "What is that?" "Something that could change all our lives for the better, in different ways," said his mother. "What does it contain?" "You'll find out when I'm dead and gone."

The young man lost no time in informing his brothers about the casket. "It is obvious she has not given us all her wealth," said the eldest. "She must have kept back some of her more valuable gems. God alone knows how many caskets woman has buried." They questioned their mother but she refused to tell what the casket contained, or even if there were more caskets hidden elsewhere. Many a time, the brothers tried to open the casket in her absence but it was securely locked and they could never find the key. But now Ah-ling no longer felt unwanted. Her sons and daughters-in-law fussed over her and went out of their way to make her feel welcome. In fact, now each son tried to the wily

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persuade her to stay longer than the three months, but she never extended her stay, not wishing to show a preference for any son. She passed away in her sleep, a few days before her 84th birthday. Her friend, Jing-mei came for the funeral rites and before departing handed over a key to the dead woman's eldest son in the presence of his brothers. "This is the key to the casket," she said and left. The sons and their wives hurried to the old woman's chamber in great excitement. This was the day they had been waiting for, for weeks and months and years. They bolted the door from the inside and huddled around the casket. With trembling

hands, the oldest brother fitted the key into the lock and turned it.

It opened with a click. The man flicked open the lid and then they all stared with disbelief at the contents: ordinary pebbles. "The gems might be below," said the oldest brother and frantically overturned the contents. All they found was a note from their mother. It read:

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"Great disappointment awaits all those whose lives centre around money. It is a sad thing when an old woman has to resort to trickery to get her sons to look after her. It shows lack of character not only in her sons but in the mother too. You at least have time to change yourselves and my last message to you is: try to do so".

22. Royal Servant (Africa)

The King of Kamera in Africa was a proud and stern man, feared by all his subjects. One day while sitting in his mud palace, surrounded by fawning courtiers and watched by a multitude of people who had come to see him, he was suddenly overcome by a sense of grandeur and loudly declared that he was master of the world and that all men were his servants. You are mistaken, said a frail voice. All men are servants of one another. A deathly silence followed the remark. The blood anger. froze in the veins of the people assembled there. Then the king exploded in

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Who said that! he demanded, rising from the royal stool. Who dares suggest that I am a servant? I do, said a voice in the crowd, and the
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not one but three wells dug in your village. But if you fail, youll lose your head! In our village, said the old man, when we accept a challenge, we touch the persons feet. Let me touch your feet. Hold my stick.
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people parted to reveal a white-haired old The king took the stick and the old man bent man, leaning heavily on a stout stick. down and touched the monarchs feet. Who are you? asked the king. Now you may give it back to me, he said, I am Boubakar, said the man. We have no straightening up. The king gave him back his water in our village. I have come to ask for a stick. well to be dug there. Do you want any more proof? asked So you are a beggar! roared the king, Boubakar. striding down to where the man stood. Yet Proof? asked the king, bewildered. you have the temerity to call me a servant! You held my stick when I asked you to and We all serve one another, said Boubakar, gave it back to me when I asked you for it, showing no fear, and I will prove it to you said the old man. As I said, all good men are before nightfall. servants of one another. Do that, said the monarch. Force me to wait The king was so pleased with Boubakars wit on you. If you can do that I will have and daring that he not only had wells dug in his village but also retained him as an adviser.

23. The Generous Student (China)

Lin Piao used to absent himself from classes very often and one day the principal of the college made up his mind to expel him. So he sent for the young man. Lin arrived just as the principal was about to go for lunch. "Is this the time to come!" said the principal, sternly. "Forgive me, Sir," said Lin, "but I got to college very late today. You see, I found a lump of gold in our field." "A lump of gold!" said the principal, his eyes popping out. "Oh, my, what are you going to do with it?" "I decided to build a palatial house, buy several acres of land and several head of cattle," said the student.

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"I also decided to give you a small sum for the trouble you have taken in educating me." The principal was pleased and invited Lin to eat with him. The young man ate ravenously but the principal hardly touched his food. He was wondering how much Lin would give him and if it would be enough to buy that small paddy field he had always wanted. "I hope you've kept the gold in a safe place," he said, suddenly coming out of his reverie. "I never got a chance to do that," said Lin. "It disappeared the moment my mother shook me awake." "What!" screamed the principal. "You mean it was all a dream?!" The young man nodded. The principal controlled himself with a great effort of will. "I'm happy you remembered me in your dream," he said, finally. "I hope you remember me when you really get some gold. Now please leave." It was only when the young man had left that the principal remembered why he had sent for him.