The Bull Who Was Called Delightful (Jataka Tales)

The Bull Who Was Called Delightful (Jataka Tales)

Long long ago, there was the country of Gandhara whose capital was Takshashila.  (Named after Taksha, son of Bharata, nephew of Rama.  This town is now called Taxila and is in Pakistan).

In this town was born a little calf which was all white in color.  A man bought it and took it home and named him Delightful.  He loved the calf so much that he gave it the best possible food and gave him a nice comfortable warm bed to sleep in.  Delightful grew and grew and grew and grew... He became big and strong and was now a beautiful bull.  He loved his master very much. 

One day he thought of how he could help his master.  He said " My master is such a good man, he took care of me even when it was difficult for him.  Now that I have grown, no other bull is as strong as me.  So I can pull a cart with a very heavy load".  So he told the man, "Sir, please find a rich merchant who has a lot of big bulls and challenge him saying that your bull can pull a hundred loaded carts.  So the man went to a rich merchant and challenged him to a competition.  The rich merchant said he would give a thousand gold coins if the bull called Delightful could pull one hundred loaded carts. 

Now Delightful's master became very proud.  So on the day of the test, he harnessed Delightful to the hundred loaded carts and started showing off to the rich merchant that he was the powerful master of such a strong bull.  He cracked his whip in the air and said to Delightful "Come on, start pulling, you big Dummy!".  Delightful thought, "Why is my master being mean to me?  I did nothing wrong.   I will simply not move and teach my master a lesson".  So however much the master yelled at him, Delightful would not move an inch.  The rich merchant laughed at him and the master had to pay a thousand coins to the rich man.

When they came home, Delightful saw that his master was very sad.  So he went to the master and said, "Sorry, I know you lost the money because I did not move.  But I did that becasue you were mean to me and called me a big Dummy.  That hurt my feelings".  The master said "I am sorry too.  I got carried away because I felt very proud.  I should not have called you a Dummy.  I am really very sorry I hurt your feelings".  So Delightful said, "That is alright, let us be friends again.  Let us go back and call the rich merchant for another test, this time for two thousand coins".  This time the rich merchant said "Ha Ha- OK. I agree to another test.  My bulls can easily beat yours.  Your bull does not even move!"  . 

This time on the day of the test, Delightful's master fed him juicy grass and gave him water to drink.  He took him to the field and harnessed him to the hundred carts.  Then he touched Delightful's forehead with a lotus flower and said, "Please mister Delightful, my friend, pull the carts".  Delightful smiled at his master with his eyes and pulled the carts powerfully.  All the 100 carts began to move and Delightful pulled them all till the last cart stood in the place of the first!  The rich merchant was so surprised watching the powerful bull  and gave the two thousand coins to Delightful's master.  All the people watching the competition were so happy and clapped and praised both Delightful and his master.  Delightful went home happily with his master.

Why did Delightful not pull the cart the first time?  How did Delightful and his master become friends again? 

( Do not tell the moral of the story.  Pause at the end of the story and between questions to give the children time to think)

Stone Soup Story

Once upon a time there was a village.

It had a lot of green fields

and many many children in a pretty school house 

The rains came each year, pouring water down from the beautiful blue-grey clouds, between the silver strands of lightening.  

From the water grew the green plants and flowers and fruit and the honey bees buzzed happily in the warm air. Every Saturday the village had a market where the potato farmer sold potatoes

And the green bean farmer sold fresh green beans

And the onion farmer sold round red onions

And the black eye pea farmer sold delicious dried peas 

And the children ran around all day 

Looking at beautiful flowers and smelling the fresh bread, listening to the moms and dads talking and tea cups clinking.  

One year, the moms and dads watched the blue sky – but the rain never came.  ‘Perhaps it is a little late’ said Dad.  But the rain never came.  A small white cloud passed by one day.  But the rain never came.  

‘Oh my’ said the potato farmer ‘How can I feed my daughter all year’.  So he did not take his vegetables to the market.

The bean farmer said ‘I don’t have enough beans to sell’.  So he did not take the beans to the market.

The peanut farmer said ‘I need all the peanuts just for my family’.  So he did not take the peanuts to the market.  

The market was all empty.  And the children were sad.

Why are you sad Mom?’ said the little boy.  Mom said  ‘We will be all right son.  The rain will come next year and the fields will be green again’.  But Mom and Dad were sad.  

The storyteller came walking into the village as he did each year. 

But nobody came to welcome him

Mom and Dad pulled the children in into the house and closed the door because they did not want to share their food with him                                             .

‘Why Mommy’ said the girl.  ‘Hush Child, said Mom, ‘We don’t have enough to share’.  But Mom was sad.

The girl went skipping to the well with Mom.  She was happy because her water pot was shiny and bright.

‘Can you give me some water, little girl?’ said the story teller.  ‘Yes’ she said.  ‘See I am so strong, I can draw the water all by myself’  She poured the water into the Story tellers big black pot.

The boy heard the story tellers flute and peeped out of his door.  It was dark and cold outside.  The bon fire was blazing bright and the story tellers hat was tall and pointed. 

The wood smoke smelt nice and the flute had a happy tune.                                                 

The boy and his sister crept out.  ‘What are you doing’ they said.  I am making soup said he.  Hmnn, the water is boiling, all it needs is my magic stone’.  ‘Splash’ said the stone and went into the soup pot.

The children sat down to listen to the flute.

The man dipped a big ladle into the pot and tasted the soup.  ‘Mnnnn’…Slurp Slurp……Delicious!’ he said.  Just needs a few beans to thicken it.  It is so good!

‘Can we have some soup?’ said the girl.  ‘Why, ofcourse!  Said the man.  ‘As soon as it is done’.  ‘Maybe my Dad will give us some beans said the boy and ran home to ask.  

‘OK’ said Dad.  ‘Just this once’.  I cannot give you more’.  And the beans went ‘plunk’ into the water.

The big ladle again went into the water.  ‘Mnnnn’…Slurp Slurp……Delicious!’  he said.  ‘But I wish I had some salt to make it taste good for you’.

‘Can your Dad give some salt’ asked the boy to his friend.  ‘And some carrots as well’ said the stranger.  ‘I will ask’ said the friend and ran away.  

‘You be careful now’ said Dad ‘We will not have food this winter if you give away what we have’.  ‘Swish’ went the salt into the soup.  And the carrots followed the salt.  

‘What are you all doing here’ said Grandpa.  Waiting to eat the soup’ said the children.’It smells soooo good’.  

‘Ah! But it will smell even better with some onions and pepper’ said Grandpa.  ‘Son, run and get some from Grandma’.  

‘But…… Dad!’ said the man, but he went to get some anyway.  

So the onions and the pepper, the beans and squash, and the pumpkin and the radish, all went into the soup pot. The sky was dark. The bonfire spluttered bright, the flute had a happy  tune

‘Aha’ said the stranger, finally..  Do you all have your soup bowls ready?  Call your neighbors.  We have plenty for all to share.  

‘The magic stone makes a lot of good soup’ said the girl.

Yes- and it makes a lot of friends’ said the man.

And they all had soup.  Mnnnn…..

‘But there no magic stones.  Stones cant make anything’ said the boy.  

‘Hmnnnn’  said the storyteller.  ‘Perhaps you are right.  But friends who share can make everything.

And ‘Ah..’ “Said the girl ‘’There is nothing as good as a bowl of hot soup’. 

The end

Elephant and the Dog Tale

ELEPHANT AND THE DOG TALE This is another interesting story / tale from the Jataka collection. Once upon a time, there was a royal elephant that used to reside in the premises of the king’s palace. The elephant was very dear to the king, so he was cared, well-fed and well-treated. There was a Dog who used to live in the neighborhood of the Elephant shed. He was very weak and skinny. He was always fascinated by the smell of the rich sweet rice being fed to the royal elephant. One day, the Dog could not resist the aroma of the rice and somehow, he sneaked into the Elephant’s shed. He ate the sweet rice that fell from the Elephant’s mouth. He liked the rice so much, that he started coming daily to eat the rice. For days, the huge Elephant didn’t notice the small dog as he was busy in enjoying the delicious food. Gradually, the Dog became bigger and stronger by eating such rich food. He came under the notice of the Elephant. The Elephant used to enjoy the company of the Dog and started sharing his food with him. Both of them also started sharing time with each other and soon, they made good friends. They ate together, slept together and played together. While playing, the Elephant would hold the Dog in his trunk and swing him back and forth. It didn’t take long, when neither of them was happy without the other. They became great friends and didn’t want to get separated from each other. Then one day, a man saw the Dog and asked the Elephant-keeper, “I want to buy this Dog. What price do you seek for the Dog?” The Elephant-keeper didn’t own the Dog still he sold the Dog and extracted a sum of money out of this deal. The man took the Dog to his home village, which was quite far away. The King’s Elephant became very sad after this incident. He missed his friend a lot and started neglecting everything. He didn’t want to do anything without his dear friend, so stopped eating, drinking and even bathing. Ultimately, the Elephant-keeper reported this to the King; however he didn’t tell anything about the Dog. The King had a wise minister, who was known for his understanding of animals. At once, the King asked the minister, “Go to the Elephant shed and find out the reason for the Elephant’s condition”. The intelligent minister went to the Elephant shed and found the Elephant very sad. He looked the Elephant all over and asked the Elephant-keeper, “There is nothing wrong with this Elephant’s body, then why does he look so sad? I think this Elephant is grief stricken, possibly due to the loss of a dear friend. Do you know if this Elephant shared a close friendship with anyone?” The Elephant-keeper said, “There was a Dog who used to eat, sleep and play with the Elephant. He has been taken by a stranger three days ago”. The Minister asked, “Where is the Dog?” and he replied,”I don’t know”. The minister went back to the King and said, “Your majesty, as per my opinion, the royal Elephant is not sick, but he is lonesome without his dear friend, the Dog”. The King said, “You’re right, friendship is one of the most wonderful things of life. Do you know where that Dog is?” The Minister replied, “Elephant-keeper has informed that a stranger took him away and he didn’t know about his whereabouts”. The King asked, “How can we bring back my Elephant’s friend and make him happy again?” The Minister suggested, “Your Majesty, make a declaration, that whoever has the dog that used to live at the royal Elephant’s shed will be penalized”. The King did the same and the man who took the dog, instantly turned him loose when he heard the proclamation. When got free, the Dog ran back as fast as he could to reach the Elephant’s shed. The Elephant was so delighted to see the Dog that he picked his friend with his trunk and made him sit on his head. The Dog waved his tail, while the Elephant’s eyes sparkled with happiness. The King was contented to see the happy Elephant once again. He also rewarded the minister for his wise judgment. Both, the Elephant and the Dog lived happily thereafter.

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The Bull Called Delightful (All Deserve Respect)

Once upon a time, in the country of Gandhara in northern India, there was a city called Takkasila. In that city the Enlightenment Being was born as a certain calf. Since he was well bred for strength, he was bought by a high class rich man. He became very fond of the gentle animal, and called him 'Delightful'. He took good care of him and fed him only the best. When Delightful grew up into a big fine strong bull, he thought, "I was brought up by this generous man. He gave me such good food and constant care, even though sometimes there were difficulties. Now I am a big grown up bull and there is no other bull who can pull as heavy a load as I can. Therefore, I would like to use my strength to give something in return to my master." So he said to the man, "Sir, please find some wealthy merchant who is proud of having many strong bulls. Challenge him by saying that your bull can pull one hundred heavily loaded bullock carts." Following his advice, the high class rich man went to such a merchant and struck up a conversation. After a while, he brought up the idea of who had the strongest bull in the city. The merchant said, "Many have bulls, but no one has any as strong as mine." The rich man said, "Sir, I have a bull who can pull one-hundred heavily loaded bullock carts." "No, friend, how can there be such a bull? That is unbelievable!" said the merchant. The other replied, "I do have such a bull, and I am willing to make a bet." The merchant said, "I will bet a thousand gold coins that your bull cannot pull a hundred loaded bullock carts." So the bet was made and they agreed on a date and time for the challenge. The merchant attached together one-hundred big bullock carts. He filled them with sand and gravel to make them very heavy. The high class rich man fed the finest rice to the bull called Delightful. He bathed him and decorated him and hung a beautiful garland of flowers around his neck. Then he harnessed him to the first cart and climbed up onto it. Being so high class, he could not resist the urge to make himself seem very important. So he cracked a whip in the air, and yelled at the faithful bull, "Pull, you dumb animal! I command you to pull, you big dummy!" The bull called Delightful thought, "This challenge was my idea! I. have never done anything bad to my master, and yet he insults me with such hard and harsh words!" So he remained in his place and refused to pull the carts. The merchant laughed and demanded his winnings from the bet. The high class rich man had to pay him the one-thousand gold coins. He returned home and sat down, saddened by his lost bet, and embarrassed by the blow to his pride. The bull called Delightful grazed peacefully on his way home. When he arrived, he saw his master sadly lying on his side. He asked. "Sir, why are you lying there like that? Are you sleeping? You look sad." The man said, "I lost a thousand gold coins because of you. With such a loss, how could I sleep?" The bull replied, "Sir, you called me 'dummy'. You even cracked a whip in the air over my head. In all my life, did I ever break anything, step on anything, make a mess in the wrong place, or behave like a 'dummy' in any way?" He answered, "No, my pet." The bull called Delightful said, "Then sir, why did you call me 'dumb animal', and insult me even in the presence of others? The fault is yours. I have done nothing wrong. But since I feel sorry for you, go again to the merchant and make the same bet for two-thousand gold coins. And remember to use only the respectful words I deserve so well." Then the high class rich man went back to the merchant and made the bet for two-thousand gold coins. The merchant thought it would be easy money. Again he set up the one-hundred heavily loaded bullock carts. Again the rich man fed and bathed the bull, and hung a garland of flowers around his neck. When all was ready, the rich man touched Delightful's forehead with a lotus blossom, having given up the whip. Thinking of him as fondly as if he were his own child, he said. "My son, please do me the honor of pulling these one-hundred bullock carts." Lo and behold, the wonderful bull pulled with all his might and dragged the heavy carts, until the last one stood in the place of the first. The merchant, with his mouth hanging open in disbelief, had to pay the two-thousand gold coins. The onlookers were so impressed that they honored the bull called Delightful with gifts. But even more important to the high class rich man than his winnings, was his valuable lesson in humility and respect. The moral is: Harsh words bring no reward. Respectful words bring honor to all.

King Banyan Deer from Jataka tales

THERE was once a Deer the color of gold. His eyes were like round jewels, his horns were white as silver, his mouth was red like a flower, his hoofs were bright and hard. He had a large body and a fine tail.

He lived in a forest and was king of a herd of five hundred Banyan Deer. Near by lived another herd of Deer, called the Monkey Deer. They, too, had a king.

The king of that country was fond of hunting the Deer and eating deer meat. He did not like to go alone so he called the people of his town to go with him, day after day.

The townspeople did not like this for while they were gone no one did their work. So they decided to make a park and drive the Deer into it. Then the king could go into the park and hunt and they could go on with their daily work.

They made a park, planted grass in it and provided water for the Deer, built a fence all around it and drove the Deer into it.

Then they shut the gate and went to the king to tell him that in the park near by he could find all the Deer he wanted.

The king went at once to look at the Deer. First he saw there the two Deer kings, and granted them their lives. Then he looked at their great herds.

Some days the king would go to hunt the Deer, sometimes his cook would go. As soon as any of the Deer saw them they would shake with fear and run. But when they had been hit once or twice they would drop down dead.

The King of the Banyan Deer sent for the King of the Monkey Deer and said, "Friend, many of the Deer are being killed. Many are wounded besides those who are killed. After this suppose one from my herd goes up to be killed one day, and the next day let one from your herd go up. Fewer Deer will be lost this way."

The Monkey Deer agreed. Each day the Deer whose turn it was would go and lie down, placing its head on the block. The cook would come and carry off the one he found lying there.

One day the lot fell to a mother Deer who had a young baby. She went to her king and said, "O King of the Monkey Deer, let the turn pass me by until my baby is old enough to get along without me. Then I will go and put my head on the block."

But the king did not help her. He told her that if the lot had fallen to her she must die.

Then she went to the King of the Banyan Deer and asked him to save her.
"Go back to your herd. I will go in your place," said he.

The next day the cook found the King of the Banyan Deer lying with his head on the block. The cook went to the king, who came himself to find out about this.
"King of the Banyan Deer! did I not grant you your life? Why are you lying here?"
"O great King!" said the King of the Banyan Deer, "a mother came with her young baby and told me that the lot had fallen to her. I could not ask any one else to take her place, so I came myself."

"King of the Banyan Deer! I never saw such kindness and mercy. Rise up. I grant your life and hers. Nor will I hunt any more the Deer in either park or forest."

The Ugly Duckling

This story is about a duckling who did not look like the rest of a brood, that mother duck had hatched. It had grey feathers and was bigger than the rest. All the other ducklings as well as the other animals in the farm teased and ill-treated him and called him the “ugly duckling”. Obviously, the duckling was miserable and felt uncared for.

One day, the “ugly duckling” leaves the farm and wanders away looking for love. But all other birds also tease him. He finally finds himself in a cottage where an old woman, a cat and a hen live together. The old woman feeds the duckling, hoping that one day it would lay eggs and that would fetch the old woman money. The duckling does not lay any eggs after all. So, it was teased by the cat and the hen as well. He leaves the old cottage and wanders away once again.

It was winter time and the poor duckling lay frozen in the pond outside. A kind farmer picks it up and takes it to his cottage and cares for him. The “ugly duckling”, after food and warmth and good care, grows up into a big, healthy and pretty swan!!!!!

After the cold weather was past, the “ugly duckling” now grown up into a beautiful swan, flies out and sees a flock of swan flying past the sky above, and landing right in front of the farmer’s house. The swan
asks them whether they would play with him. They agree willingly and they all agree that the new member of their team is the prettiest of them all!!!!

The “ugly duckling” could not believe its ears and finally feels so happy and so loved.

King Midas’s Golden touch

King Midas was a very wealthy king who loved Gold and owned a lot of it. He was still not satisfied and always wanted more and more of it. It so happens that a stranger with magical powers appears before him and grants him a boon of the “Golden Touch – whatever he touches will turn into Gold”. The king was ecstatic and never thought of the consequences of his Greed.

The King had a little daughter and he loved her as much as he loved his Gold. One day, with his new found power, he touches and turns into gold his garden, his bed, his utensils, his food and pretty much everything he owned. In the Garden, his little daughter comes running to him and jumps and sits on his lap. When he was stroking her pretty curls, he feels them harden , and to his horror realizes that she also had turned into Gold. He was devastated and realized his folly. His Greed had turned him into a Mad Man. Now , though he was richest in Gold, he felt he was the poorest man.

The Stranger with the magic powers reappears before him and now asks him how he’s doing with the Golden Touch. King Midas tells him of his plight and pleads with him to take back his Golden touch , so that he can have his daughter back. The stranger feels sorry for him and obliges him.

The King was never again greedy for wealth.

Moral of the Story: Greed and always wanting more and more will only lead one to ruin.

Robert the Bruce, King of Scotland

This story was about Robert of Scotland who later became King of Scotland because he was so hard working and never ever gave up. Long, long ago, about 700 years ago, Scotland was ruled by the king of England. The people of Scotland did not like this since they wanted to be ruled by their own men. One of them, Robert the Bruce declared himself King of Scotland. King Edward I, the King of England, was not happy and so he sent a big army to fight Robert. They had many battles and King Edward’s army defeated Robert’s army several times.

Poor Robert managed to escape and was living on a cold and lonely small island called. He had hardly any food and he lived in a small hut. It was bitterly cold and Robert was feeling very sad.

Robert was thinking. He had fought so many battles with King Edward and lost them all. A lot of people had died in the battles. He had spent a lot of money on fighting the war. But what was the point. It

seemed like the enemy was too strong. He thought that maybe he should give up and stop fighting. But that made him very sad since he loved his people very much.

As he was thinking…..he suddenly he saw a little movement near the door. It was a little spider. It has strung a silvery thread from a beam above his head and was trying to swing itself across to the next beam so that it could build a web. It failed the first time. So it tried again and failed. It tried again and again.

Watching it Robert felt that he was like the spider, trying again and again to do a very hard job. Silly spider, he thought, what is the use of trying so hard. But the spider did not stop. It tried again and again. It did not give up hope. Robert was interested by this time. And he thought, “If that little spider does not give up hope, maybe I should not give up hope either. I must try more, I must try harder”. Then he thought “if that spider succeeds this time, I will not give up my struggle”. Then he sat up to watch the spiders work. The spider swung itself one last time. It swung wide and pooof – it had crossed the space between the beams and had crossed over to the other beam. Now it had this thin thin bridge which it could use to string a lot of fine threads which together formed a strong web. Robert saw this and smiled. He got up and decided to continue his fight.

He did fight a long time, for eight long years. Robert was finally able to win the war. He became King of Scotland. Robert Bruce was known as 'Good King Robert' and was known as one of Scotland's greatest rulers.

Masterman (Boasting)

Copyright © 2001, 2002 Aaron Shepard. You are welcome to tell this story in live performance or broadcast, but please mention the author and the children’s book, if any.

www.aaronshep.com/storytelling

Caldecott Award-Winning Illustrator!

Master Man A Tall Tale of Nigeria

Told by Aaron Shepard
Illustrated by David Wisniewski

Once there was a man who was strong.

When he gathered firewood, he hauled twice as much as anyone else in the village. When he hunted, he carried home two antelopes at once.

This man’s name was Shadusa, and his wife was named Shettu. One day he said to her, “Just look at these muscles. I must be the strongest man in the world. From now on, just call me Master Man.”

But Shettu said, “Quit your foolish boasting. No matter how strong you are, there will always be someone stronger. And watch out, or someday you may meet him.”

The next day, Shettu paid a visit to a neighboring village. On the walk home she grew thirsty, so she stopped by a well. She threw in the bucket—splash—then she pulled on the rope. But though she tugged and she heaved, she could not lift the bucket.

Just then a woman walked up with a baby strapped to her back. Balanced on her head was a calabash, a hollow gourd for carrying water.

“You’ll get no water here today,” said Shettu. “The bucket won’t come up.”

The two women pulled together, but still the bucket would not budge.

“Wait a moment,” said the woman. She untied her baby and set him on the ground. “Pull up the bucket for Mama.”

The baby quickly pulled up the bucket and filled his mother’s calabash. Then he threw in the bucket and pulled it up once more for Shettu.

Shettu gasped. “I don’t believe it!”

“Oh, it’s not so strange,” said the woman. “After all, my husband is Master Man.”

When Shettu got home, she told Shadusa what had happened.

“Master Man?” yelled Shadusa. “He can’t call himself that! I’m Master Man. I’ll have to teach that fellow a lesson.”

“Oh, husband, don’t!” pleaded Shettu. “If the baby is so strong, think what the father must be like. You’ll get yourself killed.”

But Shadusa said, “We’ll see about that!”

The next morning, Shadusa set out early and walked till he came to the well. He threw in the bucket—splash—then he pulled on the rope. But though he tugged and he heaved, he could not lift the bucket.

Just then the woman with the baby walked up.

“Wait a minute,” said Shadusa. “What do you think you’re doing?”

“I’m getting water, of course,” answered the woman.

“Well, you can’t,” said Shadusa. “The bucket won’t come up.”

The woman set down the baby, who quickly pulled up the bucket and filled his mother’s calabash.

“Wah!” yelled Shadusa. “How did he do that?”

“It’s easy,” said the woman, “when your father is Master Man.”

Shadusa gulped and thought about going home. But instead he thrust out his chest and said, “I want to meet this fellow, so I can show him who’s the real Master Man.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t do that,” said the woman. “He devours men like you! But suit yourself.”

So Shadusa followed the woman back to her compound. Inside the fenced yard was a gigantic fireplace, and beside it was a pile of huge bones.

“What’s all this?” asked Shadusa.

“Well, you see,” said the woman, “our hut is so small that my husband must come out here to eat his elephants.”

Just then they heard a great ROAR, so loud that Shadusa had to cover his ears. Then the ground began to shake, until Shadusa could hardly stand.

“What’s that?” he shouted.

“That’s Master Man.”

“Oh, no!” wailed Shadusa. “You weren’t fooling. I’ve got to get out of here!”

“It’s too late now,” said the woman. “But let me hide you.”

By the fence were some large clay pots, each as tall as a man, for storing grain. She helped him climb into one, then set the lid in place.

Shadusa raised the lid a crack to peek out. And there he was, coming into the compound with a dead elephant across his shoulders. It was Master Man!

“Did you have a good day, dear?” asked the woman.

“Yes!” bellowed Master Man. “But I forgot my bow and arrows. I had to kill this elephant with my bare hands.”

As Shadusa watched in terror, Master Man built a huge fire in the fireplace, roasted the elephant, and devoured every bit of it but the bones.

Suddenly he stopped and sniffed. “Wife! I smell a man!”

“Oh, there’s no man here now,” said the woman. “One passed by while you were gone. That must be what you smell.”

“Too bad,” thundered Master Man. “He would have been tasty.” Then he rolled over on the ground, and before long the leaves were trembling from his snores.

The woman hurried over to the pot and slid off the lid. “Quick!” she whispered. “Get away while you can.”

Shadusa leaped out and bolted down the path. But he hadn’t gone too far when he heard a distant ROAR and felt the ground tremble beneath him. Master Man was coming!

Shadusa ran till he came upon five farmers hoeing a field.

“What’s your hurry?” called one.

“Master Man is after me!”

“Take it easy,” said the farmer. “We won’t let anyone hurt you.”

Just then they heard a terrible ROAR. The farmers all dropped their hoes and covered their ears.

“What was that?” asked the farmer.

“That was Master Man!”

“Well, then,” said the farmer, “you’d better keep running!” And the five farmers fled across the field.

Shadusa ran on till he met ten porters carrying bundles.

“What’s your hurry?” called one.

“Master Man is after me!”

“Relax,” said the porter. “No one can fight us all.”

Just then the ground quaked, and they all bounced into the air. The porters fell in a heap, all mixed up with their bundles.

“What was that?” asked the porter.

“That was Master Man!”

“Then run for your life!” And the ten porters bolted from the path.

Shadusa ran on till he rounded a bend—then he stopped short. There beside the path sat a stranger, and there beside the stranger lay a huge pile of elephant bones.

“What’s your hurry?” growled the stranger.

“Master Man is after me,” moaned Shadusa.

“You better not say so—’cause I’m Master Man!”

From behind Shadusa came another ROAR, and once again he bounced into the air. The stranger caught him in one hand as Master Man ran up.

“Let me have him!” bellowed Master Man.

“Come and get him!” growled the stranger.

Master Man lunged, but the stranger tossed Shadusa into a tree. Then the two strong men wrapped themselves around each other and wrestled across the ground.

The noise of the battle nearly deafened Shadusa. The dust choked him. The trembling of the tree nearly shook him down.

As Shadusa watched, the two men struggled to their feet, still clutching each another. Then each gave a mighty leap, and together they rose into the air. Higher and higher they went, till they passed through a cloud and out of sight.

Shadusa waited and waited, but the men never came back down. At last he climbed carefully from the tree, then ran and ran and never stopped till he got home safe and sound. And he never called himself Master Man again.

As for those other two, they’re still in the clouds, where they battle on to this day. Of course, they rest whenever they’re both worn out. But sooner or later they start up again, and what a noise they make!

Some people call that noise thunder. But now you know what it really is—two fools fighting forever to see which one is Master Man.

Grandma's Blackie

Once upon a time when King Brahmadutta was king in Benares, there was an old woman who had a calf.  The calf was jet black without a single spot of white.  The old woman loved the calf  and cared for it as though it was her own child.  People started calling the calf as Grandma's Blackie. 

Blackie grew up to be big and strong but he remained tame and friendly.  Children loved him and would climb on his back.  Blackie loved children too and let them play with him. 

Blackie thought "The old woman is so good and generous to me.  She is such a good person.  I should find a way to help her".  One day, a caravan of 500 carts came to the village and stopped at the river.  They tried crossing the river but the carts and bulls got stuck in the mud.  The caravan leader went to the village looking for some strong bulls to pull the carts out of the mud.   Adn who did he see but this beautiful big black bull?!

The caravan leader came to the bull and said "You are so strong and you are the only one who can save my caravan.  I will give you two gold coins for each cart that you pull out of the mud".  Blackie thought that would be a good way to earn some money for Grandma.  So he went with the caravan leader and pulled all the fifity carts out of the water, one by one.  The caravan leader thought, "Ha, this is just a bull.  He will not know if I give him just one coin for each cart.  So he made a chain of fifty coins and put them on Blackie's neck.  Blackie saw what had happenend.  So he  went to the path in front of the carts and stood there without moving.  The bulls behind him realised what was going on.  They knew that Blackie was good and that he was strong.  So they would not move either.  The caravan leader realised that he was wrong, he had promised two coins for each cart but he had given only one.  So he said Sorry and put all the hundred coins around Blackie's neck.  Blackie ran home all the way to give the coins to Grandma.  You know what Grandma said?  "Oh poor Blackie, I am so proud of you.  I know you love me.  But you did not have to suffer so much to show me your love.  I will always take care of you".  And so Grandma continued to take care of Blackie and they lived happily as long as they lived on this earth and then left the earth together.