Jataka Fiery Sand
Once upon a time there was a merchant that was part of a
caravan making his way across the desert to his destination. The sand was too
hot for them to walk on, so they slept during the day and walked during the
night. They had a guide that would guide them to where they had to go for, he
knew the stars and could use them to navigate. They would set up camp at
daybreak and water the oxen and start the fires so they could make their food.
Their food consisted mainly of rice. On an early evening day, the guide told
the men that after that night they should be in town. He advised the men that
they would not be in need of the water or the rice and that they could toss it
out. So, the men after having their meals did as the guide suggested. The next
day the guide fell asleep and they became lost. They wandered aimlessly without
water and rice. They eventually found some grass and the merchant said that there
must be water underneath the grass. He took a spade and started to dig. They
dug and they dug deeper and deeper until they hit a rock bed. The merchant said
that he heard water underneath the rock and that they were close. The boy took
his hammer and started beating on the rock harder and harder. Eventually the
hammer broke on the rock and water sprang forth filling the well. This allowed
the men and the oxen to survive and move on.
Bibliography: Jataka Tales by Ellen Babbitt
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