Start with the story. Then go through each chapter, one lesson at a time. Each lesson has three short checks. Each chapter ends with a review. The unit ends with a wrap-up.
Pencil drawing, not a photograph: a small carved wooden hare sitting up on a little base, a round paper lantern like a full moon, and a plate of three mangoes with their leaves
2Unit
Jataka Tales
Animal Stories
Buddhists tell hundreds of stories about the Buddha's lives before he was the Buddha. These are called Jataka tales. In many of them, he is an animal.
In this unit you will hear two of them. A Monkey King saves his friends. A hare gives the only gift he has. You will be able to retell each tale and say what it teaches.
When it happened
Step 1
Monkeys live happily in a mango tree by a river.
Step 2
A human king and his archers circle the tree.
Step 3
The Monkey King makes a bridge with his body.
Step 4
The monkeys cross, and the human king learns about good leaders.
Step 5
Four friends decide to give gifts to anyone in need.
Step 6
A hungry traveler comes, and three friends find food.
Step 7
The hare offers himself, and the fire feels cool.
Step 8
The tale says Sakka draws the hare on the moon.
3
Chapter
The Monkey King's Bridge
Jataka Tales
Big questionWhat does the Monkey King's story teach about being a good leader?
The story
Across the Monkey King's Back
Eighty thousand monkeys need a way across the river.
Buddhists tell this old tale. By a wide river stood a mango tree. Its mangoes were big and sweet. A Monkey King and eighty thousand monkeys lived in it.
One night a human king came with archers. They wanted the mangoes. They circled the tree. The monkeys shook with fear. "We are trapped!" they cried.
The Monkey King had a plan. He tied a long vine to his foot. He leaped across the river and tied the vine to a tree. But the vine was too short.
So he held a branch with his hands. His own body became the last part of the bridge. One by one, the monkeys ran across his back to safety.
Talk about itWhy do you think the Monkey King used his own body?
Section 1
What Is a Jataka?
3.1
Stories of Earlier Lives
Main ideaJataka tales are stories Buddhists tell about the Buddha's earlier lives.
Buddhists believe that people are born many times. They tell stories about the Buddha’s lives before he was the Buddha. These are called Jataka tales.
There are over 500 Jataka tales. In many of them, the Buddha-to-be is an animal. He might be a monkey, a deer or a hare.
Words to know
Jataka
a story Buddhists tell about one of the Buddha's earlier lives
Check yourself
1. What is a Jataka?
Why: Jataka tales are stories Buddhists tell about the Buddha's earlier lives.
2. About how many Jatakas are there?
Why: The Pali collection has about 547 Jataka tales.
3. What is the Buddha-to-be often in these stories?
Why: In many Jatakas he is an animal like a monkey or a hare.
3.2
Why Tell Them?
Main ideaBuddhists use Jataka tales to teach kindness, courage and wisdom.
Jataka tales are told to children and grown-ups. Teachers tell them at temples. Parents tell them at home.
Each tale shows a good way to act. Buddhists say they teach kindness, courage and wisdom. Many are painted on temple walls in Asia.
Words to know
courage
being brave when something is hard
Check yourself
1. What do Jataka tales teach?
Why: Buddhists use the tales to teach good ways to act.
2. What does courage mean?
Why: Courage means being brave when something is hard.
3. Where are Jatakas often painted?
Why: Many temples in Asia have Jataka paintings on their walls.
Section 2
The Great Monkey King
3.3
A Living Bridge
Main ideaThe Monkey King made his body into a bridge to save his monkeys.
This tale is called the Great Monkey King. It is Jataka number 407. The Monkey King saw his monkeys were in danger.
He stretched his body across the river. The monkeys ran over his back. It hurt him, but he kept holding on. All of his monkeys got away.
Words to know
bridge
something you can walk across to get over water
Check yourself
1. What did the Monkey King make?
Why: He stretched his body to finish the bridge.
2. Why did he do it?
Why: The archers were coming, and he wanted his monkeys safe.
3. What is the name of this tale?
Why: It is the Mahakapi Jataka, the Great Monkey King.
3.4
The Human King Learns
Main ideaThe human king watched and learned what a good leader does.
The human king saw everything. He saw the Monkey King get hurt to save the others. He was amazed.
The king had the Monkey King gently cared for. The tale says the Monkey King told him a good leader cares for the ones he leads. The king listened.
Words to know
leader
a person who helps and guides a group
Check yourself
1. Who watched the Monkey King?
Why: The human king saw the whole brave act.
2. What does a good leader do, says the tale?
Why: The Monkey King says a good leader cares for those he leads.
3. What is a leader?
Why: A leader helps and guides a group.
Section 3
Stories Around the World
3.5
Tales Like These
Main ideaMany cultures tell animal stories that teach a lesson.
People everywhere tell animal stories. The Aesop fables come from Greece. The Panchatantra comes from India. They teach lessons too.
The Jatakas are special to Buddhists. They are about the Buddha’s earlier lives. Buddhists say he grew kinder and wiser in each life.
Words to know
fable
a short animal story that teaches a lesson
Check yourself
1. Where do Aesop's fables come from?
Why: Aesop's fables come from ancient Greece.
2. What makes Jatakas special to Buddhists?
Why: Buddhists tell Jatakas as the Buddha's earlier lives.
3. What is a fable?
Why: A fable is a short animal story that teaches a lesson.
3.6
Kindness and Courage in Class
Main ideaThe Jataka values of kindness and courage can be seen in everyday life.
The Monkey King was brave and kind. You do not need to be a king to help. Holding a door is kind. Helping a friend who fell is kind.
Being brave can be small too. You can try something new. You can say, "Can I help?" Small acts can help a whole group.
Words to know
kindness
being caring and helpful to others
Check yourself
1. Which is a kind act?
Why: Helping someone who fell shows kindness, like the Monkey King.
2. Can small acts be brave?
Why: Trying something new or offering help can take courage.
3. What does kindness mean?
Why: Kindness means being caring and helpful to others.
Chapter review
The Monkey King's Bridge
0 / 6
1. Who is the Buddha-to-be in this tale?
Why: In the Mahakapi Jataka, the Buddha-to-be is the Monkey King.
2. Why were the monkeys scared?
Why: The human king's archers circled the tree.
3. How did the monkeys cross the river?
Why: The Monkey King became the last part of the bridge.
4. What did the human king learn?
Why: The Monkey King taught him what a good leader does.
5. What is a Jataka?
Why: Jatakas are Buddhist stories of the Buddha's earlier lives. Aesop's fables come from Greece.
6. What do Jatakas teach?
Why: Buddhists use Jataka tales to teach kindness, courage and wisdom.
Send it to your teacher
4
Chapter
The Hare in the Moon
Jataka Tales
Big questionWhat does the hare's gift teach about giving what you can?
The story
Four Friends and a Gift
The hare comes back with nothing but an idea.
Buddhists tell this Jataka tale. Four friends lived by a forest. They were a hare, a monkey, a jackal and an otter. They wanted to give a gift to anyone in need.
One day a hungry traveler came by. The otter found fish. The jackal found some food. The monkey picked mangoes. Each friend had something to give.
The hare only ate grass. People cannot eat grass. The hare thought and thought. Then he had an idea. "I will give myself," he said.
The traveler made a fire. The hare jumped in. But the fire felt cool as snow! The traveler was really Sakka, a king of the gods in the story. He was testing the friends.
Talk about itWhy was the hare's gift so surprising?
Section 1
The Four Friends
4.1
Hare, Monkey, Jackal, Otter
Main ideaFour animal friends in the Hare Jataka each wanted to give a gift.
This tale is called the Hare Jataka. It is Jataka number 316. Buddhists tell that the wise hare was the Buddha in an earlier life.
The hare had three friends. They were a monkey, a jackal and an otter. The hare taught them to be kind and to share.
Words to know
hare
an animal like a big rabbit with long ears
otter
a furry animal that swims and catches fish
Check yourself
1. Who were the four friends?
Why: The Hare Jataka tells of a hare, a monkey, a jackal and an otter.
2. Who was the Buddha-to-be in this tale?
Why: Buddhists tell that the wise hare was the Buddha in an earlier life.
3. What does an otter do?
Why: An otter is a furry animal that swims and catches fish.
4.2
Finding Gifts
Main ideaEach friend found food to share, except the hare.
The otter found fish in the river. The jackal found some food. The monkey picked sweet mangoes from a tree.
The hare looked around. He only had grass. He knew a person could not eat grass. What could he give?
Words to know
share
to give some of what you have to others
Check yourself
1. What did the monkey bring?
Why: In the tale, the monkey picked mangoes.
2. What did the hare have?
Why: The hare ate grass, which a person could not eat.
3. What does share mean?
Why: To share means to give some of what you have to others.
Section 2
The Hare's Gift
4.3
Giving Himself
Main ideaIn the tale, the hare offered himself because he had nothing else.
The hare wanted to give something. He had only himself. So he offered himself as food for the traveler.
The traveler lit a fire. The hare jumped in. But the tale says the fire did not burn him at all. It felt as cool as snow.
Words to know
offer
to hold something out for someone to take
Check yourself
1. What did the hare offer?
Why: With no food to give, the hare offered himself.
2. How did the fire feel?
Why: The tale says the fire did not burn him and felt cool.
3. What does offer mean?
Why: To offer is to hold something out for someone to take.
4.4
Sakka's Test
Main ideaThe traveler was Sakka, who was testing the hare's kindness.
The traveler was not really a traveler. The tale says he was Sakka, a king of the gods. He came to test the four friends.
Sakka saw that the hare’s kindness was real. He did not let the hare be hurt. He praised the hare’s big heart.
Words to know
Sakka
a king of the gods in Buddhist stories
Check yourself
1. Who was the traveler really?
Why: The tale says the traveler was Sakka in disguise.
2. Why did Sakka come?
Why: Sakka came to test their kindness.
3. Was the hare hurt?
Why: In the tale, Sakka kept the hare safe.
Section 3
The Rabbit in the Moon
4.5
A Picture on the Moon
Main ideaThe tale says Sakka painted the hare on the moon so all would remember.
Sakka wanted everyone to remember the hare’s gift. The tale says he drew the shape of a hare on the moon.
Look at the full moon. Some dark spots look like a rabbit. Buddhists tell this tale to explain the picture.
Words to know
moon
the round light we see in the night sky
Check yourself
1. What did Sakka draw on the moon?
Why: The tale says Sakka drew the hare on the moon.
2. Why did he draw it?
Why: He wanted everyone to remember the hare's kindness.
3. When can you best see the rabbit shape?
Why: The shape shows best on the bright full moon.
4.6
Moon Rabbits Around the World
Main ideaPeople in Japan, China and other places also tell of a rabbit in the moon.
In Japan and China, people also tell about a rabbit in the moon. In some stories the rabbit makes rice cakes or medicine.
Many families look at the moon at the fall moon festival. They share treats. They think about giving what you can.
Words to know
festival
a special day when people gather to celebrate
Check yourself
1. Where else do people tell of a moon rabbit?
Why: Moon rabbit stories are told in Japan, China and other places.
2. What does the rabbit make in some stories?
Why: In some Japanese and Chinese stories the rabbit makes rice cakes or medicine.
3. What is a festival?
Why: A festival is a special day when people gather to celebrate.
Chapter review
The Hare in the Moon
0 / 6
1. What is this Jataka called?
Why: This tale is the Sasa Jataka, the Hare Jataka, no. 316.
2. Why did the hare offer himself?
Why: He had only grass, so he gave the only thing he had.
3. Who tested the friends?
Why: The tale says Sakka came in disguise to test them.
4. What happened in the fire?
Why: The tale says the fire did not burn the hare.
5. Where did Sakka draw the hare?
Why: The tale says Sakka drew the hare on the moon.
6. What does this tale teach?
Why: Buddhists tell the Hare Jataka to teach giving.
Send it to your teacher
★
Unit wrap-up
Jataka Tales
Twelve words, twelve meanings
0 / 8
Tap a word, then tap its meaning. A right pair locks in green.
Words
Meanings
Unit test
Fifteen questions across the unit
0 / 10
1. What is a Jataka?
Why: Buddhists tell Jatakas about the Buddha's earlier lives.
2. In many Jatakas, the Buddha-to-be is...
Why: In many tales he is a monkey, a deer, a hare or another animal.
3. How did the Monkey King save his monkeys?
Why: He stretched his body to finish the bridge.
4. What did the human king learn?
Why: The Monkey King taught him what a good leader does.
5. Who were the four friends in the Hare Jataka?
Why: The tale names a hare, a monkey, a jackal and an otter.
6. Why did the hare have nothing to share?
Why: People cannot eat grass, so the hare had no food to give.
7. Who was the traveler in the Hare Jataka?
Why: The tale says the traveler was Sakka in disguise.
8. Where does the tale say the hare's picture is?
Why: The tale says Sakka drew the hare on the moon.
9. Which is a fable from Greece?
Why: The tortoise and the hare is one of Aesop's fables. The other two are Jatakas.
10. What do both tales in this unit teach?
Why: Both tales show caring for others, a value Buddhists teach with Jatakas.
Send it to your teacher
Spiral review
Five questions from earlier units
0 / 5
1. (Unit 1) Who was Channa?
Why: Channa drove the prince's cart in the story.
2. (Unit 1) How do visitors show respect at Bodh Gaya?
Why: Buddhists show respect at the Bodhi tree with bows and flowers.
3. (Unit 1) Who gave the tired man rice?
Why: Buddhists tell that Sujata gave him rice cooked in milk.
4. (Unit 1) Which is one of the Four Sights?
Why: The Four Sights are a sick man, an old man, a funeral and a holy man.
5. (Unit 1) What question did the prince ask?
Why: The sights made him wonder why people suffer.
Send it to your teacher
Write it
Pick the Monkey King or the hare. Tell what the animal did and why. Name the tale and what Buddhists say it teaches.
Name the tale, like "the Hare Jataka."
Tell what the animal did.
Start with "Buddhists tell..."
Use one word from the unit, like courage or share.
0 wordsSaved on this device as you type.
Practice rooms
Rooms already on the site that belong to this unit — cards, quizzes, a lab.
Every lesson keeps its own three checks; a lesson is ticked when all three are right. Chapter reviews, the unit test and its spiral review (five questions from earlier units in this band) score on the page. When the site is connected to your sheet, or the link carries ?dest=, each one also has a Send box: the first-try score, the standards, the supports used, the attempt number and the minutes go to your sheet as an IEP data point.
Print this page for a paper copy of the readings, the sources, the words and the questions; the answers print as dashed boxes under each question.
Fact-check notes for this course live in the handoff: quotes marked (paraphrased) were set that way on purpose.
