Jataka Tales
Jataka narratives present earlier births of the Buddha, in human and animal forms, within Buddhist storytelling traditions. Their choices can invite discussion of generosity, leadership, truthfulness and responsibility; some involve demanding ideals of sacrifice.
The versions here draw on different English sources, including Ellen C. Babbitt’s retellings and translated Jataka texts. Read the page’s source note for its particular version, frame and ending rather than assuming all tellings are identical.
22 stories are in this collection right now.
Jataka Tales
The Wise Hare
Four animal friends keep a fast day; when Sakka tests them, the hare offers himself to the fire and his image is painted on the moon.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Golden Goose: A Jataka Tale
A golden goose gives a poor family one feather at a time, until the greedy mother plucks him bare and finds that stolen feathers turn plain white.
The Holy Quail
Left behind in the nest by his frightened parents as a forest fire roars closer, a young quail who cannot yet fly turns the flames back with an Act of Truth.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
How the Monkey Saved His Troop
When a king’s archers surround a mango tree full of monkeys, their Chief stretches across the river and lets the whole troop run to safety over his back.
Jataka Tales
All Ages
The Timid Hare and the Flight of the Beasts
A falling coconut convinces a nervous hare that the earth is breaking up, and soon every animal is fleeing, until the lion asks who actually saw it.
Jataka Tales
The Pigeon and the Crow
A crow befriends a pigeon to reach the kitchen's fish, then fakes illness to stay behind. His theft leads to a cruel punishment and death while the pigeon leaves.
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Elephant and the Dog
When a farmer buys away the little dog who shares his meals, the king's elephant will not eat or bathe, and the king must find out why his elephant is so sad.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Hawks and Their Friends
When hunters camp beneath their nest and plan to eat their chicks, two hawks call on a Kingfisher, a Turtle and a Lion, and each friend comes to help.
Jataka Tales
Ages 3-5
The Story of the Merchant of Seri
A greedy tinware seller tries to cheat a poor grandmother out of a golden bowl, but an honest merchant pays her everything he has for it.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Ox Who Won the Forfeit
A boastful owner loses a bet when his strong Ox refuses to move for harsh words, then wins it back the next day with kindness and a garland of flowers.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Story of the Sandy Road
Lost in the desert after throwing away their water, a merchant’s caravan is saved when he refuses to give up and a serving boy breaks through to a spring.
Jataka Tales
Ages 6-8
The Quarrel of the Quails
A flock of quails outwits a fowler by flying off together with his net, until a silly quarrel breaks out and they are all caught at once.