batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l12958-l13098
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg-l12958-l13098
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
passage_locator:
label: END OF THE STORY OF THE FORD. / END OF THE STORY ON CONSTANCY. / END OF THE
STORY OF THE BULL WHO WON THE BET. / END OF THE STORY OF THE WISE BIRD AND THE
FOOLS.; lines 12958-13098
start: '12958'
end: '13098'
translation: Buddhist birth stories; or, Jataka tales, Volume 1
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A crane deceives fish in a drying pond by promising to carry them to a
larger lotus-covered pond, then kills and eats them at a Varaṇa-tree. A crab agrees
to be carried only while gripping the crane’s neck with his claws; when the crane
reveals the heap of bones and threatens to eat him too, the crab forces the crane
down to the pond and cuts through his neck. A Genius in the Varaṇa-tree praises
the outcome in verse. The Teacher connects the animal tale to a present case of
one man being outwitted by another and identifies the former figures. The next
Jātaka begins with a monk under Sāriputta who becomes proud while away in the
south of Magadha and mild again at Jetavana.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: The crane tells the fish that their pond has little water and little food
and offers to carry them to a large pond covered with lotuses.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The fish initially suspect that the crane intends to eat them one by one.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: A one-eyed fish is sent as a test, is shown the larger pond, and reports its
glories to the others.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:4
text: The crane carries fish one by one to a Varaṇa-tree, kills and eats them, and
leaves their bones at the foot of the tree.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:5
text: After the fish are gone, the crane invites the remaining crab to be carried
to the pond.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:6
text: The crab proposes to hold the crane’s neck with his claws during the flight
and secretly plans to kill the crane if deceived.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:7
text: The crane turns toward the Varaṇa-tree instead of the pond and tells the crab
he will devour him as he devoured the fish.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:8
text: The crab tightens his grip on the crane’s neck, forces the crane to put him
down at the pond, and cuts through the crane’s neck before entering the water.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:9
text: The Genius living in the Varaṇa-tree praises the event with a verse saying
a villain will not prosper by villainy.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:10
text: The Teacher states that the same man had previously been outwitted in the
same way and identifies the crane, crab, and Tree Genius with figures in the frame
story.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:11
text: The next story opens with a monk under Sāriputta who is meek at Jetavana,
becomes proud in the southern mountain country of Magadha, and becomes meek again
on returning to Jetavana.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: crane
description: A crane who promises to transport pond-dwelling animals but kills and
eats the fish and threatens the crab.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: fish
description: Fish living in a pond with little water and food; they trust the crane
and are eaten one by one.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: one-eyed fish
description: A large fish, blind in one eye, chosen by the others to test the crane’s
report of another pond.
role_refs:
- role:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: crab
description: The last animal left in the pond; he grips the crane’s neck with his
claws and kills him after discovering the deception.
role_refs:
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Genius of the Varaṇa-tree
description: A being living in the Varaṇa-tree who observes the event and utters
a verse of praise.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Teacher
description: The speaker who concludes the discourse and connects the Jātaka with
present figures.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Jetavana robe-maker
description: A present-life figure identified by the Teacher as the former crane.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: country robe-maker
description: A present-life figure identified by the Teacher as the former crab.
role_refs:
- role:10
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:9
name_or_label: monk under Sāriputta
description: A monk who is meek and devoted at Jetavana but becomes proud and angry
during travel in southern Magadha.
role_refs:
- role:11
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:10
name_or_label: Sāriputta / the Elder
description: The Elder served by the monk, who travels to the mountain country in
the south of Magadha and later reports the monk’s conduct to the Master.
role_refs:
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: fig:11
name_or_label: Master
description: The recipient of Sāriputta’s report in the opening of the Nanda Jātaka.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
roles:
- id: role:1
label: deceptive predator
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The crane offers rescue but kills and eats the fish and threatens to devour
the crab.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:2
label: outwitted villain
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The crab’s grip prevents the crane from carrying out his threat and leads
to the crane’s death.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: role:3
label: deceived victims
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: The fish accept the crane’s offer and are eaten one by one.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: role:4
label: scout or test witness
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The one-eyed fish is carried to inspect the pond and then reports back to
the fish.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:5
label: suspicious survivor
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The crab questions how he will be carried and prepares a countermeasure before
going with the crane.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: role:6
label: counter-deceiver or avenger
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: The crab uses his claws to control and then kill the crane after the crane’s
deceit is revealed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: moral witness
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The tree-dwelling Genius observes the event and gives a verse interpreting
the villain’s failure.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: role:8
label: frame narrator or authoritative teacher
assigned_to:
- fig:6
- fig:11
basis: The Teacher concludes one Jātaka by identifying figures; the Master hears
Sāriputta’s report in the next frame.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: role:9
label: present-life counterpart of the crane
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The Teacher identifies the former crane as the Jetavana robe-maker.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: present-life counterpart of the crab
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The Teacher identifies the former crab as the country robe-maker.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:11
label: changeable disciple
assigned_to:
- fig:9
basis: The monk changes from meek service to pride and anger during travel, then
becomes as before on returning to Jetavana.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: role:12
label: elder and complainant
assigned_to:
- fig:10
basis: Sāriputta experiences the monk’s altered behavior and reports it to the Master.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: water in pond
literal_form: A pond with very little water and a larger lotus-covered pond.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:5
- id: sym:2
label: Varaṇa-tree
literal_form: A Varaṇa-tree growing on the bank where the crane kills the fish and
where a Genius lives.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs:
- tree
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: heap of fish-bones
literal_form: Bones of the fish lying at the root of the Varaṇa-tree.
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: sym:4
label: crab claws
literal_form: The crab’s claws gripping the crane’s neck like pincers or a vice.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: sym:5
label: lotus-stalk comparison
literal_form: The crane’s neck is cut as cleanly as a lotus-stalk would be cut with
a hunting-knife.
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:1
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Crane proposes rescue from the drying pond
summary: The crane points to the pond’s lack of water and food and offers to carry
the fish to a larger lotus-covered pond; the fish voice suspicion but agree to
a test.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: scene:2
label: Fish are transported and killed at the tree
summary: After the test fish returns with a good report, the crane takes the fish
one by one to a Varaṇa-tree, kills and eats them, and leaves their bones there.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- id: scene:3
label: Crab sets a counter-trap
summary: The crane invites the crab to be carried; the crab insists on gripping
the crane’s neck with his claws and privately plans to kill him if the promise
proves false.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: scene:4
label: Crab kills the crane
summary: The crane turns toward the tree, points to the fish-bones, and threatens
to eat the crab; the crab tightens his grip, compels the crane to land by the
pond, cuts through his neck, and then enters the water.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:5
label: Tree Genius gives the moral verse
summary: The Genius living in the Varaṇa-tree praises the outcome and states in
verse that a villain will not prosper by villainy.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: scene:6
label: Teacher connects past and present
summary: The Teacher says the same person was outwitted long ago, identifies the
crane with the Jetavana robe-maker, the crab with the country robe-maker, and
the Tree Genius with himself.
figure_refs:
- fig:6
- fig:7
- fig:8
- fig:5
- fig:1
- fig:4
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: scene:7
label: Opening of the Nanda Jātaka frame
summary: A monk under Sāriputta is meek and devoted at Jetavana, becomes proud and
angry during travel in southern Magadha, and returns to his former manner at Jetavana;
Sāriputta reports this to the Master.
figure_refs:
- fig:9
- fig:10
- fig:11
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: deceptive rescuer revealed as predator
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: The crane presents himself as helping the fish escape a poor pond but secretly
transports them to a tree to kill and eat them.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy label is broad; the passage itself gives an animal deception
tale rather than an explicit named trickster category.
- id: motif:2
label: villain outwitted by intended victim
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- trickster_boundary
basis: The crab anticipates the crane’s possible deception, uses his claws to gain
control, and kills the crane when the plot is exposed.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the outcome as practical outwitting and moral retribution;
broader wisdom classification is interpretive but directly supported by the crab’s
successful counterplan.
- id: motif:3
label: moral witness interprets animal action
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The Tree Genius observes the crane’s defeat and utters a verse about the
failure of villainy.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The figure’s moralizing role is explicit, but assignment to a wisdom motif
family is a broad classification.
- id: motif:4
label: Jātaka past-life identification
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The Teacher identifies characters in the animal tale with present-life figures
and himself.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: No supplied taxonomy family directly matches the Jātaka identification
pattern.
comparison_claims:
- id: claim:1
claim: The passage explicitly compares the present case of a robe-maker being outwitted
with the past-life animal tale in which the crab outwits the crane.
claim_level: same_function
target: Present-life Jetavana robe-maker and country robe-maker compared with crane
and crab in the Jātaka frame
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
counter_evidence_refs: []
confidence: high
limitations: The excerpt gives the Teacher’s comparison and identifications but
does not include the full present-life robe-maker episode.
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 12958-12978
quote_or_summary: The crane says the pond has little water and food and offers to
carry the fish to a large lotus-covered pond; the fish suspect he means to eat
them, but he denies it and proposes a test.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 12979-12987
quote_or_summary: The fish send a large one-eyed fish with the crane; the crane
shows him the pond, brings him back, and the fish agree to be carried.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 12988-12999
quote_or_summary: The crane takes the old purblind fish first to a Varaṇa-tree,
kills and eats it, throws its bones away, then repeats this with all the fish.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 13000-13023
quote_or_summary: The crane invites the crab; the crab doubts being carried in the
beak, plans to kill the crane if deceived, and grips the crane’s neck with his
claws before departure.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 13024-13051
quote_or_summary: The crane turns toward the Varaṇa-tree, shows the crab the heap
of fish-bones, and says he will devour him; the crab threatens to cut off the
crane’s head, forces him to land at the pond, then cuts through his neck and enters
the water.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: 13052-13062
quote_or_summary: 'The Genius in the Varaṇa-tree praises the event and says: “The
villain, though exceeding clever, / Shall prosper not by his villany.”'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation used.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 13064-13072
quote_or_summary: The Teacher says the same man had been outwitted long ago, identifies
the crane as the Jetavana robe-maker, the crab as the country robe-maker, and
the Genius of the Tree as himself.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 13074-13098
quote_or_summary: 'The Nanda Jātaka begins: a monk under Sāriputta is meek and devoted
at Jetavana, becomes proud and angry in the southern mountain country of Magadha,
returns to his former manner at Jetavana, and Sāriputta reports this to the Master.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/buddhist-birth-stories-volume-1-rhys-davids.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Literal extraction is supported by the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy assignments
are limited to broad available categories; the explicit frame comparison is strong
but the present-life robe-maker episode is not included in this excerpt.
reviewer_status:
status: needs_review
reviewer: ''
reviewed_at: ''
notes: Machine-generated draft from OpenAI Batch; not human-reviewed.
extracted_by: openai_batch:gpt-5.5
extracted_at: '2026-04-28'
notes: |-
The supplied locator label appears to reference endings of other stories, while the passage text contains the end of the Cruel Crane Outwitted and the opening of the Nanda Jātaka; extraction follows the supplied passage text.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-birth-stories-rhys-davids-gutenberg__l12958-l13098
passage_sha256=7e027e6b23fe1230626b66a26933e5afc7da96e45774889f2a513b6248e65947