Goldstuecke: Eine Jataka Geschichte

Abstract

Here is the German version of Pieces of Gold, done by Dharma in the same year. Let me repeat my comments from there. This booklet presents yet another style for Dharma's Jataka Tales Series. The emphasis here lies on elements like dimensionality, fluidity, and contour. Two rich brothers are traveling. The younger substitutes a bag of gravel for his brother's sack of gold coins. The younger brother thinks then that he is throwing the bag of gravel overboard when he appears to stumble and drop it. It is really the bag of coins that goes overboard; the river goddess watches over it and has a big fish swallow it. When the younger brother at home discovers his mistake, he is disconsolate. The big fish is caught and up for sale; it goes to the older brother. His wife cuts it open and finds the sack, and he recognizes it as his. The river goddess hovers in his home and lets him know that this is a reward for the generosity he showed in feeding the fish of the Ganges. Against her advice, the older brother gives his younger brother half of the money; the latter, filled with shame for his selfish and dishonest action, resolves to change his ways and to practice generosity from that time on. This is one of many booklets in the Jataka Tales Series that I purchased directly from the publisher.