Reading Notes: Jataka Tales, Part A

Plot Structure:

Exposition: The unnamed narrator begins by describing a man who owns an ox. This ox is no ordinary ox; it is one of the strongest ever, and the man is extremely proud of it.

Rising Action: The man goes to a town and wagers one thousand pieces of silver that his ox can pull a train of one hundred wagons all by itself. The townsman agrees, and the owner goes to get his ox. Then, when the ox was hitched to the one hundred wagons, the owner begins treating the ox cruelly. He whips the ox and insults it. The ox had been treated kindly in the past (which is good), so it was very unaccustomed to this treatment, and it does not pull the wagons even though it has the strength to do so. Because of this, the man loses his one thousand pieces of silver. Later, the ox (who can apparently communicate with the owner) asks why the man treated it so cruelly. The man shows remorse, and the ox tells the man to go back to the town and make another wager. This time, the ox would pull the wagons.

Climax: The man listens to the ox and makes another wager for two thousand pieces of silver this time. The man encourages the ox with positive compliments and gentle touches, and the ox pulls all one hundred wagons.

Falling Action: The townspeople were impressed, and they paid the owner the two thousand pieces of silver. 

Resolution: The man and ox live happily ever after, essentially.

General Thoughts: I think this story is a great lesson of motivation through positive rather than negative means. Everyone will feel better if encouragement is used rather than punishment, so I am glad this story showcases that result. I do wish there was a little more backstory to describe where the ox came from or how it become so strong, but I know many tales like this are short and sweet.

(Image Info: Ox by Sarath Puthanveettil, no changes; Source: Wikimedia; License: here)

Bibliography: The Ox Who Won the Forfeit from Jataka Tales by Ellen C. Babbitt