Reading Notes: More Jataka Tales

Part B

Elephant and the dog

Web Source: Gateway

• The dog would sneak into the elephant's stable after he finished eating to feast on the scraps
• The dog continued to return for days and waited for bits of food to eat
• Eventually, the dog and elephant became great friends and ate together
• The elephant and dog slept together and became the best of friends
• One day a farmer came by and spotted the dog
• He said the dog "looks good-tempered," and offered money for the dog
• The elephant-keeper did not care for the dog, but did care for the money
• He sold the dog to the farmer and the dog was taken away
• The elephant was lonely without his friend and did not care to eat or bathe
• After 3 days of this behavior, the king was finally informed
• The king sent his chief servant to figure out what was wrong
• The chief servant discovered that the elephant lost his best friend
• The king sent word all over the country for whoever purchased the dog to return it and they would be reimbursed the amount they paid
• The farmer immediately set the dog loose and was compensated 
• The elephant and dog were reunited
• The keeper fed the paid and they ate together without hesitation 

Bibliography:
The Elephant and the Dog
Author: Ellen C. Babbitt

Web Source: Gateway