Essay: Bidpai

In the stories I read this week there are many tricksters and fools. In one story The Camel Driver and theAdder, the camel driver helps the Adder get out of a ring of fire. The only reason he agrees to help the Adder is because he promised not to sting him once he got out. But, once the Adder got out of the fire with the Camel Drivers help. The Adder asked who he should sting first the Camel Driver or his camel. The Adder was the trickster and the Camel Driver was the fool.

The story of The Crane and the Crab also has themes of trickster and fool. The Crane is too old to fish for herself and the fish learn those fishermen are coming soon to eat the fish. So, the fish create a plan with the Crane to be transported to a near by pool. But, when the Crane takes them in her beak she eats them instead. Then when its time to take the Crab to the pool, he sees all the fish bones and knows what the Crane has done and breaks her neck and she falls to her death. The Crane was the trickster and also the fool. She tricked the fish into thinking she was taking them to a save spot. She also was a fool to think the Crab wouldn’t notice and punish her.

Another story unit with a trickster and a fool is The Hare, The Fox, and The Wolf. In this story the wolf comes across the hare and decides he wants to eat her. The Hare afraid for her life tells the Wolf that there is a fat fox near by that will be a much better meal. The wolf likes this and they plan to trick the fox into thinking he is meeting someone special but they are really going to eat him. The fox chances on and says he wants to get his home ready for the special guest but really he covers a hole by his front door then invited them in and they fall in the hole and he escapes.

The Wolf and The Hare. This photo
was taken from the Untextbook. 

Here's the link to the original stories. 

Storytelling Week 4: Bidpai

Authors note: The story below was inspired from the Indian Tales of Bidpai. You can find more information and read the story here. 

Photo of a crab taken by Bill Bumgarne. 

Once there was a fish and a crab. The fish lived at the bottom of the ocean and the crab swam near the top. The fish needed the crabs help to catch top-feeding fish. The Fish said to the crab, “crab I will let you share all my fish if you help me catch some right now and then from here on out we will share everything.” The crab responded and said “no Fish, I don’t need your food. I can catch my own. I don’t need your help.” The fish was sad and decided to just get his own food. The fish was swimming around looking for food when he saw the crab swimming near the bottom. The fish said, “Crab what’s wrong? Why are you swimming near the bottom?” The crab told the fish “My claws are stuck together and I can’t catch any food. Can I share with you?” The Fish said “No you can’t because you wouldn’t help me earlier so I cant help you now. The crab was mad and said “Fish, I will help you after if you just help me now. I need food or I am going to die”. The fish didn’t care. The crab didn’t help him earlier so he wasn’t going to help him now. The crab started to sink farther and farther down. The fish started to feel bad for the crab, so he swam to the bottom put the crab on his back and started to look for food for the both of them. The crab started to regain his strength and so did the fish. The fish helped the crab get his claws working again. The crab was quickly swimming around and had his strength back. Fish said, “now that you have your strength can you please help me find some food. I am old and need your help”. The crab said, “Silly fish I am not going to help you. I wasn’t before and I am not now. Go away and don’t speak to me”. The fish was so upset. He had now been fooled by the crab twice and was so mad at him. He swam furiously at the crab and ripped one of his claws off. The fish couldn’t believe what he had just done. The crab said, “How could you do that? Now I cant find food!” The fish said, “You didn’t help me twice now so you now know what its like to be deceived”.

Reading Diary B: Bidpai

The Hare, the Fox, and the Wolf

·      The message of this story is to watch what you do and promise because you never know how it will come back to you. The Hare promised the Wolf a delicious meal if he didn’t eat him. The wolf and Hare ended up in a put together because the fox knew what was going on. I liked this story and its message.

Three Stories about Snakes

·      These stories were sad and I didn’t really see what the message was. I liked how simple they are compared to the other section but the lack the beauty in the writing as the other sections.

The Camel Driver and the Adder

·      I really enjoyed the message of this story and the insight it brought into the action of men. “That for every favor you do to men, you must expect some injury in return.” This is a great quote that pretty much sums up the moral of the story.

Two Tortoise Stories

·      These two stories were great as well. The both had the message to not harm or hurt those who help you. The Geese were told him not to open his mouth because he would fall and die and the tortoise just couldn’t do that.

The Crane and the Crab

·      I like how these stories have the same sort of message but why do they all have to be so negative. Someone always has to die. Maybe I’ll try to make my stories more positive.

The Lean Cat and the Fat Cat

·      "To stay at home and be content with your dish of honest broth. Think what might happen to you if the royal cook should catch you stealing from the King's table!" good quote. I like the message about appreciation and liking what you have.

Three Stories about Birds

·      I liked the message of the first today to not try and be like anyone else or else you’ll forget who you are.

The Partridge and the Hawk

·      I know that you are one of the kings among birds, and that I am only a poor Partridge. Suppose that some day I should displease you. Would you not promptly tear me to pieces?"- great quote.

The Crow, the Jackal, the Wolf, and the Camel

·      These stories all have the same type of message and same type of way of telling it.

The Three Fish

·      Good message- to think outside the box. I like this story.

The Lion and the Hare

·      King Lion, we are proud to have such a brave and valiant beast to rule over us. But we do not think that it is fitting for one of your rank to hunt for his own food. We therefore wait upon you with this request: henceforth do you remain quietly at home, and we your subjects will bring to your lair such food as it is fitting that a king should eat."

The Lion. Picture taken from the Untextbook. 

Reading Diary A: Bidpai

The Rustic and the Knightingale- I like the message in this story. The man was rewarded for showing pity by being told there was gold beneath the tree.

The King, the Falcon, and the Drinking-Cup- The message in this story is great as well. The king quickly judged the bird before he knew that he was trying to save his life.

The Two Travelers- This story also has a great message, to honor those who honor you. I really enjoyed this story.

  

Maharaja Malhar Rao Holkar. 

Poor Man, Rich Man, And Young Man- "Alas," he sighed at length, "how foolish I have been! I was strong and as well able to work as the Hawk. How much better it would have been to imitate him instead of the Raven!" great quote. I enjoyed the moral of this story.

The Merchant and His Iron- this story was a little congaing to me. I’m not sure I see what the message is but still kind of an interesting story.

Carder, Farmer, Tyrant- I liked this story. I thought the message was great and interesting. I like how the stories are split into different portions.

The King, The Hermit, and the Two Princes- great massage to share and bring happiness to others. I enjoyed this story.

Three Stories about Apes- another great story with a good message. I enjoy how the messages are portrayed in these stories.

The Ass, the Lion, and the Fox- And the Fox replied, "Oh, most worthy King, you should yourself know that this beast had neither heart nor ears. If he had had ears, which are the seat of the hearing, he would have known that I spoke falsehoods, and if he had had a heart, which is the seat of the feelings, he would have been overcome with fear at the very sight of you." A great quote that really shows the moral of the story.

Three Stories about Foxes- I didn’t quite see the message on this set of stories but they were still good.