Author: Marie Shedlock
Year: 1920 (originally published in 1910)
- In The Crow That Though it Knew, the land was struck by famine and the people could offer food to crows, snakes, or goblins. I could write a story about the crows eating the snakes and helping the people fight off the goblins who are now angry that they aren't getting tribute. I could also incorporate buzzards who would eat anything left over.
- The younger brother tried to cheat his older brother out of money, but accidentally threw all the money over board. When the money was returned to the older brother, even after knowing what his younger brother did, he still gave him half. I could continue this story starting from when the younger brother receives his half. When he gets the money, he could see the kindness of his older brother and the wrong in his actions. He could throw his money back into the Ganges as a way of repentance, or he could find a way to secretly give the money back to his brother.
- Buddha asked only that where he dealt would be free of disease, that only he would be free of greed, malice, and hatred. If I were to retell this story, I would have him ask for other things that would help everyone and not just himself.
- The king chose a poor peasant to be his valuer. In retelling this story, I would have the peasant look to the Bodisat for guidance and to find a happier ending for the peasant. After the peasant values the kingdom for a grain of rice, the Bodisat would get the kingdom, making him king. He would then train the peasant to become and actual valuer, giving him a career.
- The villagers in The Poisonous Trees trick people into eating poisonous fruits in order to kill and rob them. I would retell this story where the poisonous tree is chopped down and the villagers left with no way to fool travelers.
- The king makes the white elephant his state elephant, but gets jealous because everyone admires his beauty....does not makes sense. He has the elephant climb a mountain to prove how well trained it is, while he stands at the foot of the mountain. I would retell this story where the elephant starts to climb the mountain, but falls after only a few feet, crushing the king, but not hurting the elephant.
White Elephant
Image Author: Colesworthy Grant
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
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