Reading Notes: The Brave Little Bowman, Part B

For my reading Part B, I chose the Jataka tale called the Brave Little Bowman by Ellen. C. Babbitt. In this story, there is a small man that has a crooked back. He is a great bowman and wants to be in the king's army. However, he knows that the king would never accept a small crooked man into the army. Therefore, the bowman wanders around the city looking for a big man that would be able to help him is his predicament. The Bowman finally spots a very big strong man that is digging a hole. He goes up to the big strong man and asks "Why are you digging a hole?" The strong man answers by saying "I need to dig all day so I can make money to eat." The bowman then gives the strong man an option. He says "You are a big strong man, and I am a great Bowman. Take me to the king as your page and tell him you want to aid him in his army. Whatever task he gives you, tell me and I will execute them and we can split the rewards." Therefore, the strong man took the bowman to the king and got them both into the army. Their first task was to kill a tiger that was killing civilians. The Bowman killed the tiger and the strong man was rewarded by the king. They split the profits. Their next task was to kill a buffalo, and again, the Bowman killed the buffalo and the strong man was rewarded and they split the profits. However, the strong man started to become selfish and told the bowman that anybody can use a bow! I want the rewards for myself! Soon, an army began to advance on the kingdom and the king put the strong man on the war front riding an elephant. The strong man was terrified. However, the Bowman climbed up onto the elephant and said: "Don't worry, I will help you." The strong man was too terrified and jumped off the elephant and ran home. The bowman then led the army and defeated the intruders. He was rewarded. This would also be a fun story to cover! I would need to change the characters to animals because I may keep that theme in my portfolio. 

The Bowman: Public Domain Files