Reading Notes: Jataka Tales: "The King's White Elephant"

Once upon a time there were a community of carpenters searching for lumber in the forest when they came across an elephant. The elephant appeared to be limping. It was obvious that he had been in pain for some time. The elephant laid down in agony. The carpenters were able to pull a splinter from his foot and wash it clean. The elephant wanted to return the kindness the carpenters had shown him. The elephant worked alongside the carpenters pull and rolling logs for them. In return the carpenters made sure that elephant was well taken care of. As the elephant got older he could not work as hard as he once could, but he had a son who he could teach to work. He was a strong, beautiful, and solid white elephant. The carpenters took care of the young white elephant just as they had his father
before him. One day King was traveling down the river and spotted the white elephant playing alongside the carpenter's children. Although the carpenters loved the white elephant they accepted the King's offer to buy him at a handsome wage. The King adored the white elephant and took very care of him. The white elephant lived out the rest of his life at the King's estate.


                         White Elephant
Animal photo

My Thoughts:
This story reminds me of a fairytale I was told when I was young about a lion who got a thorn in his paw. A smaller animal (a mouse I believe) removed the thorn for the lion. In return the lion protected the mouse. It is interesting how similar stories exist over different cultures. 

Bibliography:
Jataka Tales: "The King's White Elephant written by Ellen C. Babbitt, illustrated by Ellsworth Young (1912).
Jataka; "The Kings White Elephant"