
MORE JATAKA TALES - Re-told by - Ellen C. Babbitt - With illustrations by - Ellsworth Young
I. THE GIRL MONKEY AND THE STRING OF PEARLS
II. THE THREE FISHES
III. THE TRICKY WOLF AND THE RATS
IV. THE WOODPECKER, TURTLE, AND DEER
V. THE GOLDEN GOOSE
VI. THE STUPID MONKEYS
VII. THE CUNNING WOLF
VIII. THE PENNY-WISE MONKEY
IX. THE RED-BUD TREE
This collection gathers a fresh set of timeless Jataka stories, ancient Indian fables that have traveled across cultures for centuries. Retold in clear, flowing prose and accompanied by charming illustrations, each tale feels both familiar and new. Though rooted in Buddhist tradition, the narratives unfold like short parables, offering simple yet profound lessons about honesty, wit, and compassion. Listeners can imagine themselves gathered around a modern hearth, hearing the same wisdom that once warmed royal courts and village gatherings.
One of the opening tales follows a clever girl monkey who watches a queen’s pearls slip away while a guard dozes off. The monkey’s quick theft and the guard’s clever trap show how curiosity and honesty are tested in everyday moments. Listeners will picture a sparkling garden, mischievous monkeys, and a gentle moral about responsibility, all told with a light, engaging tone that invites reflection without heavy drama.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (62K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Juliet Sutherland, Tonya Allen, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team
Release date
2005-02-01
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

Best known for bringing ancient Buddhist stories to young readers, this early 20th-century American writer retold animal fables and moral tales in a clear, inviting style. Her best-known books helped introduce generations of children to the Jataka tales.
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