A trader was travelling along with his helpers to another country with goods. On the way, he reached a very hot desert. He hired a local guide to help him cross the desert at night. After some nights of travelling, the guide ate so much food that he slept sitting on the camel cart. The […]
Once, a merchant set out on a business trip. On the way, he reached a Waterless Desert which was thought to be infested with narakas who were demons. Suddenly, a group of people came from the opposite direction and told him that he would reach an oasis soon. They advised him to throw away his
Once, an old woman brought up a black calf that grew into a strong bull. He came to be known as ‘Kaalu’. Kaalu was full of katannu (gratitude). He often thought, ‘The old woman is poor, yet feeds me well. How will I ever repay her?’ One day, Kaalu saw a merchant trying to cross
A pious man named Magha lived in a small village. There were thirty families in his village. All the people of the village respected and admired Magha deeply. They believed that he was the only person who practised what he preached. One day, the entire village gathered for a meeting. Magha decided to teach them
There was a rich Brahmin who lived in Sarnath. He in his old age built himself a large house that had a big garden too. Many poor people of his city begged for alms outside his house. But he gave no one anything. He instead spent his time gaining fame by giving sermons. All the
Once, a rich man owned a strong bull, called Shaurya. He was well fed and cared for. One day, Shaurya saw a poster calling for the strongest bull in town for a reward. ‘This is the best way I can repay my master,’ thought Shaurya. The next day, in the competition, the bulls had to
Once, an elephant lived in a king’s palace. Every day, a huge quantity of food was served to him. A weak and poorly fed stray dog also lived in the neighbourhood. One day, the dog sneaked into the shed where the elephant was eating his meal. The dog started to eat the food-crumbs scattered on
Once, there lived a gentle, kind and harmless royal elephant named Airavat. One night, a gang of robbers stopped outside the elephant-shed. They were rude and aggressive and spoke to one another in foul language. Airavat was alone in the shed. The rude talk reached his ears. At first, Airavat did not like the way
Once, a Raja owned a stallion who was considered the best in all the kingdoms across the globe. The grooms took the horse every day for a bath in a lake. One day, the horse refused to enter the lake. When the grooms tried to pull him towards the lake, he neighed loudly. The grooms
Once, there lived a horse by the name Kanthaka, who was strong, loyal, wise and intelligent. He was known as the Knowing One, as he always guided his riders without needing any instructions. One day, the armies of seven kings attacked the kingdom. The Raja ordered the soldier to take Kanthaka to defend. A night
Once, a Raja’s favourite chariot became wet in the rain. The royal dogs smelled the wet leather seats and greedily tore it up and ate it. The next morning, the Raja realised that it was the work of some dogs. He ordered all dogs, but not the royal ones, to be killed. The panicked dogs
Once, the Buddha was preaching the people, in the neighbourhood of Savatthi. There lived a man of great wealth who suffered from many ailments. He came to the Buddha to take help. The Buddha saw the luxuries with which the man was surrounded. He saw his rich clothes and jewellery and his well-decorated horse cart.
Once, a Monkey King by the name Arahant ruled thousands of monkeys in the Lumbini Grove. A drought struck. The monkeys started to leave their homes in search of water. The Monkey King warned them, “Do not eat fruit or drink water that looks unusual.” The monkeys reached a lake. The Monkey King looked around
Once, Chandaka, a superstitious man, saw a banyan tree. He thought, ‘This is a Kalpavriksha (tree). I am sure this banyan tree will fulfil my wishes.’ He prayed to the banyan tree, “If my wish comes true, I promise to sacrifice an animal as an offering.” One day, Chandaka’s wish came true. It was a
Once, a bhikshu (monk) decided to behead a goat in a yogic ritual offering to his god. When the goat was being bathed, it started to laugh. The next moment, it started to cry. The bhikshu was confused. He asked, “Why are you laughing and crying?” The goat said, “Many births ago, I was a