Week 11 Reading: The Priceless Gem
Aushada was a reincarnation of the Buddha. He was named this because he was born holding a divine herb that gave him healing powers. King Vaidena had a dream that a great soul would be born that would be wiser than anyone before. 8 years later he found Aushada and knew it was him and brought him back to his kingdom. He grew up in the city as a handsome boy and the other people began becoming envious of him.
They are standing above the water and see a gem. He tries to jump in but can not stay under water long enough. They get the king telling them even the best swimmer can not get the gem. One of the court pandits who didn't like Aushada saw it had the kings heart attached and knew if he got it he would have a one up on Aushada. The king assigned him the task. He told the boys to start drinking the water in the tank. They drank all the water and the gem disappeared. They showed the king and he said to fill it back up. Once they filled it up there was the gem again. They said to bring a thali. The gem was a reflection of the actual gem in a crows nest. Aushuda found the gem in the crows nest and gave it to the king.
Around the same time a boy completed his studies his teacher and the teacher said he must now marry his daughter. The daughter was superior to him and he felt bad about this. He didn't even want to help pluck fruit of the tree for her. When she started climbing up the tree he grabbed all the fruit jumped off and told her he was getting rid of her. He trapped her up there for a few days.
The kings group came by and saw her up in the tree. The king found her beautiful and felt he had to protect her. The king decided to marry her. He gave her a new name after the tree, Udumbara. They lived a few good years. Then one day she sees the man who abandoned her and starting smiling. The king became mad. He asks if she is still interested and she says no. The kings council says she wrong, and Aushada said she was telling the truth. The king suspects his council of lying because they are jealous of Aushada. He brings them in and they argue about the rich vs the wise. The king is so pleased with Aushada that he gives him 16 villages. Aushada found him a poor wise girl to marry.
The council decides he will steal the gem and plant it in Aushadas house. He puts it in some curds and gives it a girl to only sell to his wife. She sells it to his wife for free, so she has her maid follow and sees him go straight to the king. So she knows she has been tricked when the guards show up looking for the gem at the house. In court they banish Aushuda. Then the wife tells him what really happened.
Aushuda is weary of his the coucils plans after they turn the king on him so he follows them to their hide out and they talk about a plan of killing him. So he gathers all the troops and tells the king. The king makes the council Aushudas slaves and says sorry.
“Jataka Tales - The Priceless Gem.” The Library of Hinduism, books.hinduism.cc/library/jataka-tales-priceless-gem/.
Hey Philip, I am so glad that you chose to read this story this week! I loved this one because I feel like, just like the priceless gem, the deeper you dig within the characters, the more you find. I think you did a really good job of summarizing the story, and I can confidently say that you did a better job than I did without any hesitation. Keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHey Philip!
ReplyDeleteThis was a great retold version of the Gem. I really like how you were able to capture the full plot and use it within your version of the story. I recommend proof reading your story. There seems to be a handful of small errors that confused me throughout the story. Also, your story seems a little straightforward and choppy. We all have busy schedules and try to rush through our assignments. Although, if you read your story out loud, at least once, I know that you will be able to make this story ten times better. Like I said, you captured all of the important information from the original story, but revising this story would be really beneficial. Also, I recommend adding an author's note for those that have not read this story.
Hi, Philip,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your story about the gem. Your story telling style is very direct and easy to interpret, it made for a good read! You also had a clearly developed plot, I didn’t ever know what was coming next, like in some stories, but I also never felt confused. Good work!