Reading Notes: Jataka Tales, Part B

The Wise and the Foolish Merchant

• I like that in this tale the merchants have the same opportunity and the same distance to travel, leaving only their intellect and skill to set them apart.
• The young merchant's reasoning aligns with what I personally would have thought as well
• Now that I've read the other merchants reasoning for going second, I can see the flaws in the young merchants strategy
• This demon is quite clever, it seems that this could be the end of the young foolish merchant. I like the foreshadow implemented in the weaving of this story.
• I like the Demon's reasoning in this story, he uses magic and cunning to get what he wants rather than force.
• Why do demons cast no shadow? I like that he was clever enough to see through the ruse but I wish there was a more intricate way in which the merchant discovers the truth.

  

  A merchant in the desert