Reading Notes: More Jataka Tales B

The Brave Little Bowman

• there once was a man with a crooked back who was an excellent archer
• the man wanted to join the king's army, but knew the king would not take him because of his crooked back
• The little bowman decided to ask a strong man to join the army and say that the little bowman is his page
• He found a big strong man and they agreed to split the pay
• They went before the king and the strong man asked the king if he could join the army
• The king asked about the crooked bowman, and as planned the big man said he was the page
• The king agreed to pay them 1000 pieces of silver for joining the army
• a tiger was attacking people in the city, so the big man and little bowman were sent to kill it
• the little bowman shot it, and the big strong man was rewarded with praise and riches
• the same thing happened when a buffalo attacked
• after this, the strong man turned on the little bowman and was unkind
• an enemy king declared war on the king, and the big strong man and the little bowman were sent on a war elephant to the frontlines
• the strong man was so afraid that he fell off the elephant , despite the little bowman's comfort and warning, and ran back to the city
• taking the reins of the elephant, the little bowman led the army and destroyed the enemy
• he was from then on known by all as the Brave Little Bowman

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Source: The Brave Little Bowman by Ellen C. Babbitt