Tiny Tales: Traditional Stories in 100 Words: December 2020

Lupus et Pastoris Vestimentum

Lupus pastoris oves surripere non potest.

Cogitat itaque, "Opus mihi est dolis!"

Lupus ergo pastoris vestimentum induit. Pastoris personam praeclare agit!

Baculum tenens, lupus pedibus prioribus ambulat. Pastori in gramine dormienti appropinquat. Pastoris canis quoque atque oves dormiunt.

Lupus tacet primo, et sic oves facile surripit.

Sed mox pastoris vocem vestimentis addere vult. Vocem autem imitari nescit; ululat ergo, et silvae ululatu eius resonant.

Ita excitati sunt omnes: pastor, canis, et oves.

Pastor lupi dolos cognoscit.

Lupus miser, vestibus impeditus est; effugere non potest, nec se defendere.

Fabula sic docet:

Doli periculosi sunt semper.

Lupo melius est lupi vestimentum gerere.

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 85. Lupus et Pastoris Vestimentum, from La Fontaine. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Wolf Who Herded Sheep.

Here is an illustration by Billinghurst:

Vulpes Sine Cauda

Vulpecula in foveam incidit. Foveam evasit, sed cauda detruncata est! Cauda eius longa erat; nunc brevis.

Misera clamat, "Vae mihi! Cauda mea, quondam pulchra, nunc turpis est."

Sic gemens, aliis vulpeculis occurrit et interrogat, "Quo vaditis?"

Respondent, "Ad leonis basilicam vadimus."

Vulpecula cuius cauda detruncata est dicit, "Ego leonis basilicam nuper visitavi! Mos novellus est: omnes ferae detruncant caudas, ut videtis: caudam meam detruncavi!"

Aliae, caudam eius brevem admirantes, dicunt, "Si leonis basilicae mos est, nos quoque caudas detruncabimus!"

Ilico vulpeculae caudas suas detruncant.

Hoc videns, vulpecula quae in foveam incidit ridet.

Solamen est socios in dolore habere, etiamsi stultos.

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is 41. Vulpes Sine Cauda, from Barlow's Aesop. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Fox with a Short Tail.

(illustration by Tenniel)

When Man Rescued Snake

"HELP!"

Man ran to see who needed help. It was Snake, trapped under a fallen tree. Man lifted the tree, and Snake slithered out.

"Now I'll bite you!" she said.

"That's not fair!" Man protested.

"It is!"

"It isn't!"

Rabbit heard them arguing. "What happened exactly?" he asked.

Snake and Man explained.

"I still don't understand," said Rabbit. "Show me!"

So Snake got back under the tree, and then Rabbit yelled, "Quick, Man: hit her in the head with a branch and kill her."

Man did so.

Rabbit laughed, and then ran before Man could do the same to him.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 60: "The Fair Judge." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. Weiss has a detailed version where they go first to Ox as judge who says ingratitude is the way of the world, and then they ask Horse, who also rules against Man, but then Rabbit gets Snake to crawl back under the tree and urges Man to kill her, but he then runs off, afraid the man might kill him and eat him too. For the Brer Rabbit version collected by Harris, see: Brer Wolf under a Rock; in this version, Rabbit foolishly rescues Wolf, and Tortoise is the judge.

Rabbit Doesn't Want to Be Stewed

Old Lady tied Rabbit to the chopping block and went to fetch herbs from the garden.

Fox walked by. "Looks like you're in trouble now, Rabbit!" he laughed.

"It's truly terrible!" Rabbit replied. "She's going to make me eat a chicken, feathers and all. I'd rather die than eat a raw chicken."

"Well," said Fox, "if that's your problem, I'll take your place. I like raw chicken just fine."

So they traded places.

Old Lady groaned when she came back and found Fox; Rabbit had tricked her again.

Fox also groaned; there wasn't going to be any chicken after all.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 34: "The Wax Doll." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. You can read here how she caught Rabbit: Rabbit Wants the Doll's Cornbread.

Rabbit Wants the Doll's Cornbread

Old Lady made a doll out of wax and dressed it in old clothes. Then she put a piece of cornbread in the doll's hand. "That will catch Rabbit for sure!" she said.

When Rabbit saw the doll, he shouted, "Hey you! Give me some of that cornbread."

Doll didn't move.

"I said GIVE ME THE CORNBREAD!" Rabbit shouted.

Doll didn't move.

Rabbit punched the doll with one fist. Stuck.

Other fist. Stuck.

One foot. Other foot. Head-butt. Stuck!

Old Lady pulled Rabbit off the doll and took him to her kitchen. "I'll make rabbit stew for dinner!" she cackled.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 34: "The Wax Doll." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. You can read about Rabbit and the watermelon here: Rabbit Eats the Watermleon.

Rabbit Eats the Watermleon

Old Lady planted watermelons and tended them carefully. The watermelons grew and grew, and one melon was clearly the biggest and best of all.

Rabbit watched the watermelons growing, and he noticed the biggest, best watermelon. He drilled a hole in the top and came each night to scoop out the fruit from inside. Then, when he had eaten all the fruit, he filled it up with dirt.

Old Lady was delighted by how heavy the watermelon was. "I'm sure it's sweet too!"

But when she cut it open to eat, all she found inside was dirt.

She vowed revenge!

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 34: "The Wax Doll." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. In the story, she gives the watermelon as a gift to her friend the doctor, but I left him out. The story then goes on to describe how she got her revenge.

Rabbit Comes to Turtle's Rescue

"Help!" screamed Turtle.

Rabbit ran and saw Fox carrying Turtle in a sack and singing: Roasted turtle for supper tonight, roasted turtle, O!

Rabbit ran home and stuffed his own honey-hive into the sack. It was worth losing his honey-hive to save his friend.

Then he shouted. "Fox! Someone's stealing your chickens!"

Fox dropped the sack and raced home. Rabbit ran up and freed Turtle. Then they stuffed the honey-hive in Fox's sack and scurried into the bushes.

Fox came back, carried his sack home... and was stung by angry bees!

He didn't have roast turtle for supper after all.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 51: "Brer Lion and Sis Turtle." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. This is the second part of the story (in the first part, Rabbit tricks Lion).

Rabbit's Napping Place

Rabbit found the perfect place to nap: leaves nestled between the roots of a tree. He burrowed into the leaves and fell asleep.

Unfortunately, Lion also wanted to take a nap. "Those leaves look comfortable," he said, plopping himself down right on top of Rabbit.

The roots kept Rabbit from getting squashed, but he was mighty uncomfortable. "Who's that stepping ON MY LITTLE TOE?" he shouted.

Lion, startled, reached down and felt Rabbit's furry back. "If that's just his little toe, this beast must be enormous! I better run!"

So Lion ran off, and Rabbit went happily back to sleep.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 51: "Brer Lion and Sis Turtle." Weiss notes that the story comes from Colombia. This is just the first part of the story; the part with Sis Turtle comes next.

Rabbit Comes to Monkey's Rescue

Rabbit hid in the bushes, watching Tiger struggle to free himself. But Rabbit had tied him tight: Tiger was stuck!
Monkey came by.

"Untie me please!" Tiger begged.

"But you'll eat me," Monkey protested.

"No I won't!" Tiger promised.

So Monkey untied Tiger.

Then Tiger grabbed him. "NOW I'm going to eat you!"

"Help!" Monkey shrieked.

Rabbit hopped out of the bushes and said, "Monkey-guts taste bitter. Toss Monkey in the air! That shakes up his guts so they taste sweet."

Tiger tossed Monkey up in the air.

Monkey grabbed a tree branch and escaped, while Rabbit ran away, laughing.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 48: "The Wind Storm." Weiss notes that the story comes from Puerto Rico. This is the second part of the story; here's the first part: Rabbit and Tiger's Mango Tree.

Rabbit and Tiger's Mango Tree

Rabbit was eating mangos in Tiger's orchard when Tiger grabbed him. "I'm going to tie you to this tree and whip you!" Tiger snarled.

"Thank you!" Rabbit said. "Thank you kindly!"
Tiger stared in confusion.

"A big hurricane's coming, and I don't even have rope," Rabbit explained. "I didn't know what I was going to do. And here you are using your own rope to save me!"

"No!" Tiger shouted. "You tie me to the tree! Tie me now!"
Rabbit sighed as he tied Tiger to the tree. Then Rabbit grabbed more mangos and hopped off into the jungle, laughing.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 48: "The Wind Storm." Weiss notes that the story comes from Puerto Rico.

Tiger's Syrup and the Newborn Cubs

Tiger knocked at Rabbit's door. "My wife had four cubs! I want you as godfather."

"Gladly!" Rabbit replied.

"I've got a jug of syrup for a party tonight!" Tiger continued. "Now I'll go hunt some dinner."

Rabbit went to Tiger's house. "Congratulations, Mrs. Tiger. I'd name that first cub: Top-Gone."

Rabbit came back later. "Next cub should be: So-Good."

Third time. "Call the next one: Nearly-Gone."

Final time. "Fourth cub's name should be: Tummy-Full."

Tiger came home from hunting. "Rabbit suggested very strange names for the cubs," Mrs. Tiger told him.

Then Tiger realized: Rabbit had eaten all the syrup!

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 45: "Fish and Syrup." Weiss notes that the story comes from Martinique. This is the second half of the story; in the first half, Rabbit helped Firefly after Tiger took his fish. This is a famous folktale type, very nicely done here where it is the Tiger's own children that are being named.

Firefly Gets Help from Rabbit

Firefly and Tiger fished all day. When it got dark, Firefly shone his light.

"I'll divide the fish," said Tiger. "Big for me; little for you."

Firefly got angry and put out his light, but then Tiger grabbed all the fish and stumbled home in the dark.

Firefly asked Rabbit for help. "Don't worry," Rabbit said. "Son, go tell Tiger I've got a pig to give him."
Rabbit's son delivered the message, and Tiger ran to fetch the pig.

"That's crazy-talk," Rabbit told him. "No pigs here!"

Meanwhile, Rabbit's son and Firefly stole Tiger's fish-basket and split the fish, even-steven.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 45: "Fish and Syrup." Weiss notes that the story comes from Martinique. The first half is about the fish, and in the second half, Rabbit tricks Tiger out of the syrup. In Parsons' stories from the Antilles, she has a version with Elephant instead of Tiger which she collected in Martinique also, and she remarks: "There is a quite definite pattern in this tale, but I have found no parallels." She would have liked this story about Tiger!

Rabbit, Tiger, and the Cheese

Rabbit helped Man carry cheese to market, and Man paid Rabbit with cheese.

Rabbit then had a long journey home by moonlight.

Suddenly... Tiger grabbed him. "That smells good!" Tiger growled. He ate the cheese. "Now I'll eat you!"

"Cheese tastes better!" Rabbit squeaked. "Don't you want more?"

"Yes!" Tiger shouted. "More cheese please!"

Rabbit took Tiger to the river, where the moon's reflection looked like cheese.

"It's deep in the water," Rabbit explained, "so you'll need some weights to pull you down." Rabbit tied stones to Tiger's feet and tail, and down Tiger sank, never to be seen again.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 42: "The Moon." Weiss notes that the story comes from Panama. In the original story, Tiger manages to not drown and yells at Rabbit, but I changed the ending.

pixabay

Rabbit and the Deerskin

Running from Jaguar, Rabbit found a stinking deer carcass. He cut off the deerskin and put it on, and then ran straight towards Jaguar.

"Hello, Deer!" Jaguar said, surprised. "Ugh!" She wrinkled her nose. "When did you last bathe? And you're looking rather puny."

"It's Rabbit's fault!" Rabbit said, imitating Deer's voice. "He cursed me to shrivel up. I heard he's looking to put a spell on you too!"

This terrified Jaguar, for she believed in magic. "I always suspected Rabbit had the evil eye! Thank you, Deer," she shouted as she ran off into the jungle.

Rabbit just laughed.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 40: "Magic." Weiss notes that the story comes from Brazil.

Jaguar and the Animals Build a Fountain

The old fountain ran dry, so Jaguar ordered the animals to build a new fountain. They worked, while Jaguar watched.

"I'm not working if you don't!" Rabbit said.

That made Jaguar mad, and she banned Rabbit from the fountain.

Later, when Rabbit got thirsty, he walked up, carrying a gourd of honey.

"No water for you!" yelled Fox, who was standing guard.

"Who needs water?" Rabbit replied. "I've got honey!"

"Give me some!" said Fox.

Rabbit gave Fox the gourd, and when his paws got stuck inside, he tied Fox to a tree and drank all the water he wanted.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 37: "The Fountain." Weiss notes that the story comes from Brazil. In the original story, Rabbit also bathes in the fountain, which is a motif frequently found in this type of story where Rabbit muddies the waters.

Lupus et Rusticus, Compatres

Rusticus duodecim oves habet. Volens peregrinari, commendat oves suas lupo, compatri suo.

Lupo dicit, "Compater, me absente, oves meas custodire debes."

Lupus respondet, "Oves custodire promitto, compater!"

Gratias lupo agens, rusticus abit.

Lupus, esuriens, cogitat de ovibus. Una die comedit unam. Altera die, aliam. Tertiam. Quartam, quintam, sextam, septimam, octam, nonam.

Rusticus, reversus, tres oves solas invenit. Novem desunt.

Lupum interrogat, "Ubi reliquae sunt?"

Lupus respondet, "Oves novem mortuae sunt, compater!"

Rusticus dicit, "Si mortuae sunt, da mihi pelles!"

Lupus ei pelles dat.

Ecce! Rusticus vestigia lupi dentium videt, et clamat, "Reus es mortis, lupe!"

Et statim compatrem perfidiosum necat.

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 81. Lupus et Pastor, Compatres, from the medieval fabulist Odo of Cheriton. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Friendly Wolf.

Vulpes et Vermiculus

Vermis in sterquilinio habitat.

Die quodam de sterquilinio emergit, et proclamat, "Bestiae omnes, audite! Nuntium ad aures vestras fero. Ego, vermis, medicus sum! Apollo medicus est, sed ego superior. Apollo deorum medicus est; ego, vermis divinus, totius mundi medicus sum. Arte medica inter omnes excello. Pharmacorum expers sum, et herbarum. Ad me advenite omnes qui aegrotatis."

Bestiae admirantes dicunt, "Quam pulchre loquitur! Artis medicae expers, et Apolline superior!"

Sed vulpes vermem non laudat.

Vulpes ridet.

"Quid dicis, vermicule? Oculis magis quam auribus credo. Rugosus es, et deformis. Nutas ridicule, capite quassante. Cura te ipsum, medice! Factis opus est, non verbis."

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 57. Vulpes et Vermiculus, from Camerarius. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Fox and the Worm.

(Medici Aesop)

~ 199. Janamejaya Hears the Mahabharata Story ~

Laura Gibbs · 199. Janamejaya Hears the Mahabharata Story

Astika spoke to Janamejaya about King Kuru and his ancestors, about the Pandavas and Kauravas, and about the war they fought.

"God himself was there," Astika said.

Janamejaya did not understand. "How could God be there?"

"God took the form of Krishna," said Astika. "Bring the rishi Vaishampayana here, and he will tell you everything. Vaishampayana heard the story from Vyasa. Vyasa was part of the story himself, and he was also an author of the story, the Mahabharata."

So Janamejaya summoned Vaishampayana, who recited the Mahabharata as he heard it from Vyasa, and Janamejaya became enlightened. He knew dharma.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 7.

Janamejaya

~ 198. Astika Confronts Janamejaya ~

Laura Gibbs · 198. Astika Confronts Janamejaya

"Who dares interrupt my sacrifice?" shouted Janamejaya.

"I am Astika," the young man replied. "My father is a rishi, and my mother is a naga. I see both sides, human and snake. For the sake of both humans and snakes, stop this sacrifice! Takshaka sought revenge for your great-grandfather Arjuna burning Khandava forest, which was home to many nagas. Now you seek revenge for your father. Then there will be snakes seeking revenge against you for this sacrifice. The revenge must stop. We need peace, not fire. Not winners and losers. The world needs dharma."

"Tell me more," said Janamejaya.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 5.

snake sacrifice

~ 197. Janamejaya Conducts a Snake Sacrifice ~

Laura Gibbs · 197. Janamejaya Conducts a Snake Sacrifice

Janamejaya was grief-stricken at his father's death. "The snakes will pay for this!" he shouted. "I'll kill them all!"

He convened the brahmin priests of Hastinapura and ordered them to conduct a Sarpa Satra sacrifice which would kill all the snakes of the earth. The priests built a huge bonfire, and they chanted the words that summoned the snakes. Swarms of serpents came slithering across the ground and flying through the air, plunging themselves into the fire where they burned to death in their thousands and millions.

Then a stranger appeared. "Stop!" the young man shouted. "This sacrifice must stop!"

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 4.

snake sacrifice

~ 196. Parikshit Hides in the Tower ~

Laura Gibbs · 196. Parikshit Hides in the Tower

King Parikshit climbed the tower and shut himself in the highest room. Guards stood around the tower and at every door. They searched everything and everyone, making sure no snake could find its way inside.

As the seventh day drew to a close, King Parikshit finally relaxed. He enjoyed his evening meal. Then, for dessert, he bit into a fruit.

There was a worm in the fruit.

The worm transformed into Takshaka, a mighty naga.

Takshaka then plunged his fangs into the king's flesh, and seconds later the king was dead.

He didn't even have time to call for help.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 4.

Takshaka and Parikshit

~ 195. Parikshit Is Cursed ~

Laura Gibbs · 195. Parikshit Is Cursed

King Parikshit had a son: Janamejaya.

One day when King Parikshit returned from hunting, Janamejaya saw he was dismayed. "Father, what troubles you?" he asked.

"I am cursed to die within seven days of snakebite," Parikshit replied. "In the forest, I entered a rishi's house. I greeted him, but he said nothing. That made me angry, so I draped a dead snake over his shoulders. The rishi's son saw me do this and cursed me."

"No!" Janamejaya said. "We will protect you."

They locked the king high in a tall tower. No snake could reach him, or so they thought.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 3.

Parikshit

~ 194. Yudhishthira Descends to Naraka ~

Laura Gibbs · 194. Yudhishthira Descends to Naraka

In the darkness, Yudhishthira heard shrieks and groans. He recognized his brothers' voices. "Help us, Yudhishthira!"

And then he heard Draupadi. "Husband, help me!"

"Are you ready to return to Amravati now?" the gods asked Yudhishthira.

"Don't leave us!" his brothers cried.

"Stay with me!" Draupadi begged.

"I must remain here," said Yudhishthira, angry and confused.

Then he had a vision of God. He saw the Allness of God: everything, every being, all life, all possibilities. The killers and the killed, creation and destruction. Everything.

Enlightened, Yudhishthira ascended to the highest heaven, beyond Amravati. He entered Vaikuntha, God's own home.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 337.

Yudhishthira in Naraka

~ 193. Yudhishthira Finds the Kauravas in Heaven ~

Laura Gibbs · 193. Yudhishthira Finds the Kauravas in Heaven

As Yudhishthira entered Amravati, he saw the Kauravas mingling with the gods. Duryodhana was there, and Dushasana, happy and radiant in the light of heaven. They smiled when they saw Yudhishthira. "Welcome, cousin!" Duryodhana said.

"How can this be?" Yudhishthira cried in dismay.

"Duryodhana, Dushasana, all the Kauravas died in battle on the sacred land of Kurukshetra," said the gods. "All warriors who fall on that field ascend to Amravati."

"But where are my brothers?" cried Yudhishthira. "Where is my wife?"

"They are in Naraka," said the gods.

"I must go there!" said Yudhishthira.

So Yudhishthira then descended into hell.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 335.

Devaloka: heaven of the gods

~ 192. Yudhishthira Must Choose ~

Laura Gibbs · 192. Yudhishthira Must Choose

At last, Yudhishthira came to Amravati's gate, where the devas greeted him. "Welcome, Yudhishthira! You may enter heaven's gate, but not your dog."

"What dog?" asked Yudhishthira, surprised. Then he turned and saw a dog who had followed him all the way from Hastinapura.

"The dog made the ascent," Yudhishthira protested. "His devotion is perfect! He too should enter heaven."

"No," said the gods. "You must come alone."

"If so," replied Yudhishthira, "I won't come."

Next, the dog vanished. Yama, god of dharma, appeared; Yudhishthira's father was testing him. "You have done well," he said, and Yudhishthira then entered Amravati.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 334.

Yudhishthira and the gods

~ 191. The Pandavas Climb Mount Meru ~

Laura Gibbs · 191. The Pandavas Climb Mount Meru

As the Pandavas and Draupadi climbed the snowy slopes of Mount Meru, seeking to attain heaven, Draupadi was the first to fall, but the Pandavas did not stop walking.

Then Sahadeva fell, and Nakula. No one stopped.

Arjuna. Then Bhima.

Alone, Yudhishthira kept on walking up the mountain.

As he walked, he reflected on the flaws that made them fall.

Draupadi had not loved all her husbands equally; she preferred Arjuna.

Sahadeva was proud of his knowledge, and Nakula of his beauty.

Arjuna had been envious, and Bhima gluttonous.

And so Yudhishthira kept walking, wondering if he too would fall.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 333.

Yudhishthira

~ 190. The Pandavas Depart ~

Laura Gibbs · 190. The Pandavas Depart

The sons of the Pandavas died in the war, but one grandson survived: Parikshit, the son of Uttara and Abhimanyu, who was the son of Arjuna and Krishna's sister Subhadra. Ashwatthama had launched a weapon to kill Parkishit while still in his mother's womb, but Krishna saved him, and Parikshit later became king in Hastinapura.

Then, after Parikshit's coronation, Yudhishthira, his brothers, and Draupadi resolved to climb Mount Meru, seeking heaven. After the loss of Krishna and Balarama, they no longer had any desire to remain in this world.

Dressed in clothes of bark, they departed on their final journey.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 333.

Pandavas depart

(and Draupadi falls)

~ 188. Balarama and Krishna Depart the World ~

Laura Gibbs · 188. Balarama and Krishna Depart the World

After the Yadavas slaughtered one another, Balarama resolved to leave the world. As he meditated, his life-force emerged in the form of a white snake, which then vanished.

After Balarama departed, Krishna too was ready for his life to end. He went into the forest, sat under a banyan tree, and waited.

A hunter named Jara, mistaking Krishna's foot for the ear of a deer, shot Krishna with an arrow.

Jara had found the arrowhead in the belly of a fish, and it was made of the same accursed iron which had killed the Yadavas.

Gandhari's curse was now fulfilled.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 329. The snake alludes to the legend that Balarama was an incarnation of the great Naga, Shesha.

(death of Balarama)

Vulpes et Mulieres

Vulpes ambulat. Esuriens est vulpes, et de cibo cogitat.

Iuxta villam transit. Mulierum villanarum catervam videt. Mulieres comedunt. Gallinas comedunt! Plurimas gallinas comedunt! Gallinae assatae sunt. Opipare assatae! Mulieres in alto silentio gallinas comedunt.

Vulpes quoque gallinas comedere vult. Sed gallinas non habet.

Vulpes mulieribus dicit, "Vos gallinas comeditis in silentio. Sed clamores sunt si ego gallinas comedo. Canes latrant si tantum unam gallinam comedo. Vos omnes hypocritae estis!"

Mulier respondet, "Et tu pessima animalium es, vulpes! Nos comedimus gallinas quae nostrae sunt. Tu alienas gallinas comedere vis. Fur es, et fur semper eris!"

Vulpes triste abit, dum mulieres comedunt.

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 54. Vulpes et Mulieres, from Abstemius. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Fox and the Old Women.

(pixnio)

Rabbit Teaches Fox a Trick

Fox walked by Rabbit's house and smelled fish cooking.

"Where'd you get that fish?" Fox asked, his mouth watering.

"Go lie in the road and wait for Man to come home from fishing," Rabbit replied. "Say you're sick, ask for a ride, throw the fish out, and then jump out yourself!"

Fox thanked Rabbit and lay down in the road.

Man came driving along in his wagon.

"Help me, Man!" Fox groaned. "I'm feeling poorly!"

"Poorly?" shouted Man. "Just wait till I get finished with you!"

It was too late for Man to punish Rabbit, so he punished Fox instead.

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit, Buh Fox, and the Fisherman." This is the second part of the story, after Rabbit stole Man's fish: Rabbit Rides with the Fisherman.

Rabbit Rides with the Fisherman

Man went fishing and loaded his wagon with fish.

On the way home, he saw Rabbit lying in the road.

"Help me, Man!" Rabbit groaned. "I'm feeling poorly! Please give me a ride."

Fisherman felt sorry for Rabbit. "You can ride in the back," he said, and Rabbit climbed up into the wagon. "Thank you, Mister Man," said Rabbit. "Thank you kindly."

Then, as the wagon rolled along, Rabbit tossed the fish out one by one, and his family, who were hiding by the road, gathered them up.

Then Rabbit himself jumped out.

Fisherman got home: no Rabbit, no fish.

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit, Buh Fox, and the Fisherman." This is the first part of the story. In the second part of the story, Fox will try to imitate Rabbit.

Wolf and Rabbit Butcher a Calf

Wolf and Rabbit killed a calf together.

"Let's divide the meat," said Wolf. "You take half, and I'll take half."

"But I'm hungry!" Rabbit said. "Aren't you hungry? Let's eat some now. I can't wait!"

Before Wolf could even reply, Rabbit started eating, and then he groaned. "I'm poisoned!" he screamed. Then Rabbit rolled on the ground, moaning. "Poisoned! Carry me home!"

Wolf carried Rabbit home, thinking how lucky he was not to have eaten the poisoned meat.

But the meat was just fine, and while Wolf carried Rabbit home, Rabbit's family came and took all the meat for themselves.

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, and the Yearling."

Rabbit and Man Cooperate

"Wolf's stealing my sheep," Man told Rabbit. "Help me catch him!"

"Just loan me your horse," Rabbit replied. "I'll do the rest."

Rabbit went riding, and Wolf was jealous. "Let me try!" he said.

"Have you ridden before?" Rabbit asked. "No? I'll tie you on for safety."

Wolf got on, Rabbit tied him, and then he jabbed the horse; it ran straight home.

Man grabbed Wolf and started whipping him.

Rabbit ran up. "Mercy!" Rabbit cried. "Let him go!"

Man let Wolf go, and he ran off; Rabbit ran with him.

"Thank you, Rabbit!" said Wolf. "You're a true friend."

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, and the Buckra Man." The word "buckra" meaning a white man or European was used in Gullah and other African American communities.

Rabbit Comes to Wolf's Funeral

"Prepare my funeral," Wolf said to his wife.

Mrs. Wolf started crying.

"I'm not dying!" Wolf told her. "It's a trick to catch Rabbit. Just do what I say."

So Mrs. Wolf held a funeral, and everyone came to pay their respects. The animals all lined up to take one last look at Wolf in his coffin, and Rabbit went last.

But then Wolf reached out to grab Rabbit, Rabbit was too fast.

"Wolf's alive! Praised be; it's a miracle!" Rabbit shouted, laughing as he ran, while the other animals kicked and hit Wolf because of how he tricked them.

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit and Buh Wolf Funeral." The story is full of all kinds of charming details about all the animals who attend the funeral.

Rabbit Courts the King's Daughter

"Whoever brings me Alligator's teeth and Deer's tears will marry my daughter!" proclaimed the king.

Rabbit went to Alligator's house and played the fiddle. As Alligator stared in fascination, open-mouthed, Rabbit knocked out Alligator's teeth with his fiddle-bow.

Then Rabbit dug a pit. Deer fell in and broke his leg. "Help!" he shouted.
Rabbit peeked over the edge. "Can't stop to help you, Deer; I hear dogs coming!"
Deer started crying. Rabbit jumped down, grabbed the tears, and jumped back out.

Rabbit laughed. "With these teeth and tears, I'll take the king's daughter as my wife."

And so he did.

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit and the King Daughter."

Dog Traps Rabbit in a Tree

Dog chased Rabbit, and Rabbit hid in a tree.

"I'm going to burn you up, Rabbit!" Dog shouted.

Then Dog yelled for Goose. "Come here, Goose! Watch this Rabbit; don't let him get away."

"Hey, Goose!" shouted Rabbit. "Are you sure I'm here? Better look inside."

Goose poked his head in the hole, and Rabbit threw dirt in his eyes; then he ran.

Dog came back, set the tree on fire: no Rabbit!

"He might have escaped," Goose confessed. "Rabbit's always scheming!"

Then Dog tried to bite Goose, but all he got was feathers in his mouth: Goose flew away!

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Rabbit, Buh Wolf, The Dog and The Goose." Wolf does not figure directly in the story, but he's the one who hired Dog to catch Rabbit.

Rabbit Seeks Shelter from the Rain

It was pouring, and Rabbit needed shelter from the rain.

The nearest house belonged to Wolf, and Rabbit ran straight there.

Unfortunately, Wolf was home, sitting on his porch, playing the fiddle. His eyes were closed.

Rabbit crept inside Wolf's house, glad to be out of the rain.

But Wolf heard Rabbit's footsteps. He smiled and started singing, "Rain sent me meat, sent rabbit to eat!"

"Uh-oh!" thought Rabbit.

Wolf kept singing. "Rabbit to eat, to eat, oh!"

Rabbit dug a hole. Before he escaped through the hole, Rabbit sang his song: "Rain always stops someday; Rabbit always gets away."

Inspired by: Negro Myths from the Georgia Coast by Charles C. Jones.

Notes: This story is "Buh Wolf, Buh Rabbit, and the Rain."

Jaguar Traps Rabbit in a Tree

Jaguar chased Rabbit, and Rabbit jumped into a hole in a tree.

"I'll wait!" snarled Jaguar.

And she waited. And waited.

Finally Jaguar fell asleep.

Luckily, Rabbit had some food stored in that hole.

He ate the food. He licked the can... and then, he had an idea! While Jaguar slept, Rabbit tied the empty can to her tail.

Then he pulled her tail.

Hard.

Jaguar jumped up and started whipping her tail back and forth.

The can hit her in the head. On her leg. On her back.

Then she ran off into the woods, terrified.

Rabbit just laughed.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 28: "The Tin Can." Weiss notes that the story comes from Brazil. In the original story, Rabbit has built a pitfall which Jaguar almost falls into, but Rabbit sighs and gives himself away; that's what Jaguar starts chasing him. There are also wasps in Weiss's story: the wasps bother Jaguar, and that's when she starts flicking her tail.

Rabbit Buys Corn

Cockroach, Rooster, and Fox all grew corn.

"Bring me your corn," Rabbit said. "I'm buying!"

He invited Cockroach to come first. "Here's my corn!" said Cockroach.

Knock-knock. "That's Rooster!" whispered Rabbit. "Quick! Hide under the bed."

"Here's my corn!" said Rooster.

Knock-knock. "That's Fox! Quick! Hide under the bed, and snack on Cockroach if you want!"

"Here's my corn!" said Fox.

Knock-knock. "That's Mr. Man. Quick! Hide under the bed. You can eat Rooster!"

"Hello, Mr. Man!" said Rabbit. "I've got a heap of corn for you to buy. And I'll throw in Fox for free; he's under the bed."

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 24: "The Corn." Weiss notes that the story comes from Brazil. There was one more link in the chain: Wolf came after Fox, but I didn't have room for Wolf too. Compare Anansi Owes Money, which has a chain of Hog, Dog, Monkey, and Tiger.

Rabbit Weeds the Field

Man wanted his field weeded for free. "Whoever clears the field without scratching gets my ox!" he announced. Man was sure he wouldn't have to pay.

Jaguar started pulling weeds, and she just had to stop and scratch.

Armadillo also scratched.

Monkey too.

Then Rabbit started weeding. "Remind me," Rabbit said, "does that ox have a spot here?" Rabbit pointed to his shoulder. "Or here?" He pointed to his belly... but really he was scratching!

"He's got a spot there," Man said. "And there."

Rabbit kept pointing as he weeded the field, and Man had to give him the ox.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 20: "Weeds/" Weiss notes that the story comes from Brazil; compare Anansi and the cow-itch: Anansi and the Spotted Cow.

~ 187. The Story of the Reeds ~

Laura Gibbs · 187. The Story of the Reeds

Long ago, Krishna's son Samba wanted to trick the forest rishis, so he dressed up as a pregnant woman. "Is my baby male or female?" he asked.

The angry rishis replied, "You bear no baby but an iron bar that will destroy the Yadavas."

Samba tried to laugh it off, but an iron bar eventually emerged from his thigh. Horrified, Samba ground the bar into dust which he threw into the sea.

The sea cast the iron dust back onto the shore, and it grew into the reeds with which the Yadavas destroyed themselves years later, arguing about the war.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 328.

Samba and the rishis

~ 186. The Yadavas Quarrel ~

Laura Gibbs · 186. The Yadavas Quarrel

Time passed.

Then, a fight began in Dwaraka: some Yadavas defended the Pandavas, while others defended the Kauravas.

"The Kauravas ambushed Abhimanyu!" shouted the Pandava allies.

"The Pandavas deceived Drona!" retorted the Kaurava allies.

Back and forth they argued.

Fearing violence, Krishna and Balarama hid every weapon, but the quarreling citizens of Dwaraka then grabbed reeds from the seashore. These were no ordinary reeds: their edges were as sharp as any iron weapon.

Thus the Yadavas destroyed themselves.

Satyaki and Kritavarma, who had both survived the war, killed one another in that fight.

Such was the power of Gandhari's curse.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 328.

Yadavas quarrel

~ 184. Dhritarashtra Stays in the Palace ~

Laura Gibbs · 184. Dhritarashtra Stays in the Palace

Dhritarashtra continued to live in the palace, advising his nephew Yudhishthira, who was now king.

Bhima, however, didn't make it easy. When the family ate together, Bhima would crack his knuckles and reminisce about killing the Kauravas one after another. Whenever anybody broke open a bone to eat the marrow, Bhima would shout, "That reminds me of the sound Duryodhana's thigh made when I smashed it!"

Dhritarashtra's brother Vidura urged him to renounce the world. "Brother," he said, "It's time to go live in the forest!"

Dhritarashtra wanted to go, but he was attached to the luxuries of palace life.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 325.

Dhritarashtra and Gandhari

~ 182. Bhishma Instructs Yudhishthira ~

Laura Gibbs · 182. Bhishma Instructs Yudhishthira

The mighty Kaurava generals were all dead... except one: Bhishma. Fatally wounded, he was still alive, lying on the bed made by the arrows that pierced his body.

Bhishma had the power to choose when to die, and he was waiting until after the winter solstice: he wanted to die on the first day of Uttarayana, when Surya turns north.

Bhishma thus waited fifty-eight days, the days growing ever shorter.

Yudhishthira came, and Bhishma instructed him in the ways of kingship, telling him stories of long ago.

Bhishma also taught Yudhishthira to chant the Sahasra-Nama, the Thousand Names of God.

Inspired by: Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattanaik.
Notes: This story is on p. 312.

Bhishma

Tiny Tales in Latin: Aesop

I've started writing some "centum verba" stories: Aesop's fables in Latin, with 100 words per story. You can see all the Latin stories here, and you can also see a different presentation at the Bestiaria Latina blog, where I'm including dictionary help with each fable. I had to put this on the back burner during the school year, but summer arrives on May 8 for me, and I'll be jumping right back in with more Latin fables. If you have any special favorites you want to request, let me know. :-)

001: Leo et Canis
002: Leo Amatorius et Silvanus
003: Vulpes, Simius, et Leonis Edictum
004: Vulpes et Vermiculus
005: Lupus et Rusticus, Compatres
006: Leo Senex et Vulpes
007: Vulpes et Mulieres
008: Lupus et Pastoris Vestimentum
009: Vulpes Sine Cauda
010: Lupus et Histrix
011: Simia et Gemelli Eius
012: Simiae et Viatores Duo
013: Ranae et Rex Earum
014: Ursus et Apes
015: Camelus et Iuppiter
016: Cervus et Amici Eius
017: Herinacei et Viperae
018: Lepus Cornua Cupiens
019: Talpa et Olitor
020: Mus in Cervisia
021: Leo et Mus
022: Asinus et Leo
023: Cerva in Spelunca
024: Mures, Feles, et Tintinnabulum
025: Asinus et Tympana
026: Leo et Tauri Duo
027: Minerva et Naufragus
028: Feles, Vulpes, et Lupus
029: Feles, Aquila, et Sus
030: Muli et Latrones
031: Lepus, Aquila et Scarabaeus
032: Rusticus et Asellus Aratrum Portans
033: Catus et Rattus
034: Mors et Cupido
035: Mus Rusticus et Mus Urbanus
036: Senex a Morte Admonitus
037: Pater, Filius, et Asinus
038: Vulpes et Taxus

Tiny Tales of Brer Rabbit

I'm now writing stories to use in Tiny Tales of Brer Rabbit, using stories from the Americas (i.e. the United States, the Caribbean, and also Central and South America). I've just started writing, and I'll be adding stories through mid-April; progress so far. I'll do the editing and arranging in April and May, and then after proofreading and recording, the book should be done in early June.

Leo Senex et Vulpes

Leo, rex bestiarum, senex est. Venari non potest, quod vires desunt. Esuriens, in spelunca recubat.

Alta voce ad bestias clamat, "O bestiae, audite omnes: aeger sum! Solus in spelunca mea recubo. Quare me non visitatis? Ad me advenite, bestiae omnes! Ego, rex bestiarum, vos advoco!"

Leo aeger non est, sed simulat.

Bestiae multae regem visitant, et leo illas protinus devorat!

Etiam vulpes regem visitat, sed vulpes aliis bestiis cautior est. Ante speluncam procul stat, et dicit, "Rex regum, te saluto!"

Leo interrogat, "Et ego te, vulpes! Cur in speluncam non intras?"

Vulpes respondet, "Quod vestigia intrantium multa video, exeuntium nulla."

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 25: Leo Senex et Vulpes, from Gildersleeve. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Fox Visits the Lion.

(Croxall's Aesop)

Vulpes, Simius, et Leonis Edictum

Leo bestiarum rex est.

Rex clamat, "In regno meo, caudas nos omnes habemus! Si bestia cauda caret, in exilium ire debet."

Vulpes pavefacta est. Leonis edictum eam terret, et ire in exilium parat.

Simius vulpem ire in exilium parantem videt et dicit, "Quid facis, vulpes? Ego cauda careo, et ire in exilium debeo. Sed tu tantum caudae habes! Leonis edictum ad te non pertinet."

Vulpes respondet, "Verum dicis, et recte me admones. Sed leo tyrannus est. Dicit leo omnia quae vult. Facit leo omnia quae vult. Cauda me salvam non facit. Malo in exilium ire: vitam agere sub tyranno nolo."

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 22, from Gabriele Faerno. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Fox and the Ape.

(pxfuel)

Leo Amatorius et Silvanus

Leo virginem amat. Perdite amat!

Virginis pater silvanus est.

Leo silvanum sollicitat, dicens, "Silvane, filiam tuam amo. Da mihi filiam in matrimonium!"

Silvanus respondet, "Filia tenella est. Delicatula virgo est. Tu leo es. Bellicosus es. Ungues habes, et dentes. Ungues et dentes filiam terrent. Ungues et dentes evellere debes. Si ungues et dentes evelles, filiam tibi dabo."

Leo ungues et dentes evellit.

Silvano dicit, "Ungues et dentes nunc evulsi sunt."

Silvanus leonem sine unguibus videt, et sine dentibus.

Leo imbellis est!

Silvanus leonem involat. Fustibus involat et abigit!

Fabula indicat:

Amor vesania est.

Propter amorem, pretiosissima perdimus et captivi sumus.

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 12, from Barlow's Aesop. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Lion in Love.

(Walter Crane illustration)

Leo et Canis

Ecce canis! Canis pinguis est, et nitidus.

Ecce leo! Leo pinguis non est. Leo inedia exhaustus est.

Occurrit canis leoni. Canis, iocans, leoni dicit, “Miser es tu, leo! Exhaustus inedia es. Quid percurris silvas? Quid percurris devia? Specta me! Miser non sum. Pinguis sum canis! Nitidus sum canis! Quomodo haec bona consequor? Haec bona non labore consequor. Haec bona otio consequor!

Leo cani dicit, "Tu, canis, habes epulas, verum est. Epulas habes, sed etiam vincula habes. Stolidus es, canis, et servus! Specto te, stolidum servum. Servus esto! Tu servire potes. Ego liber sum. Ego servire non possum, nec servire volo."

Inspired by: Mille Fabulae et Una.
Notes: This story is Fable 1, from Avianus. I have simplified the story, making it easier to read. For an English version (not a translation), see: The Dog and the Lion.

lion

Rabbit Befriends the Anteater

Tiger used to tease little Anteater. "You're so scrawny you're not even worth eating!" Tiger said.

Rabbit felt sorry for Anteater. "Come to my house," Rabbit said. "You need to eat more than just ants!"

Anteater got strong and fat on Rabbit's food.

Next time he saw Tiger, he shouted, "Come fight me, Tiger! I'm not so scrawny now!" Then he waved his claws at Tiger. Next, he pulled up a banana plant and squeezed the juice from its stem. "I'll squeeze the juice right out of you too!" he shouted at Tiger.

Tiger ran off, terrified.

Rabbit just laughed.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss.

Notes: This story is on p. 15: "Young Anteater." Weiss notes that the story comes from Venezuela. In the original story, both Tiger and Fox persecute Anteater, and Rabbit builds snares that capture both of them when they run away from Anteater.

Pixabay

Rabbit Laughs at Tiger

Rabbit laughed and laughed when Tiger fell in the mud. Then, when Tiger chased him... Rabbit ran!

Rabbit ran fast, but Tiger ran fast too.

Trying to hide, Rabbit jumped behind a tree, but Tiger reached around and grabbed him. "Gotcha!" he growled.

"That's nothing but a tree root," Rabbit lied. "Pull on that root all you want! Go ahead and pull, fool!"

"Feels like rabbit-fur to me!" Tiger growled.

"That's just moss!" Rabbit lied again. "Don't you know anything?"

Feeling shamed by Rabbit's words, Tiger let go, and Rabbit slipped away into the bushes, laughing even louder than before.

Inspired by: Young Brer Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales from the Americas by Jaqueline Shachter Weiss; she notes that this is a story from Venezuela.
Notes: This story is on p. 11: "The Root." Weasel is also a character in the story; he warns Rabbit to be careful of Tiger, and he also tells Tiger which way Rabbit went, hoping for a reward, but the angry Tiger punishes him in the end. I added the part about the moss.