Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology

 The Monkey Who Gathered Lotuses

Story source: Tayodhamma Jataka in The Jataka: Volume 1 translated by Robert Chalmers.

Lotus Flower

Notes:

• Plot: A twist was when the ogre ended up helping Bodhisatta. His father originally sent his son away as a scheme which ultimately backfired. Bodhisatta gained the ogre's admiration and respect by showing his characteristics of being clever and resourceful. "Seeing this from afar, the Bodhisatta's father knew that his plot had failed. "I sent my son to fall a prey to the ogre, and here he is returning safe and sound, with the ogre humbly carrying his flowers for him! I am undone!" cried the old monkey, and his heart burst asunder into seven pieces, so that he died then and there."

• Character Charting: Bodhisatta - "Dexterity and Valor and Resource" "gifted with marvelous strength" "wonderfully clever", Not much is mentioned about him in regards to appearance. He is described to the audience through his characteristics and attributes.

• Setting: "In a lake hard by grow two kinds of water-lily, three kinds of blue-lotus, and five kinds of white-lotus." A scenic and beautiful lake with different colorful water lilies and lotuses and lily pads all around. "...a forest at the foot of the mountain, where in due season she gave birth to the Bodhisatta.", "he plucked two flowers which grew up above the surface of the water and alighted with them on the opposite bank." This story provides detailed descriptions that provide information on different settings within the story.