batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg-l1228-l1339
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg-l1228-l1339
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
passage_locator:
label: THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH MERCHANT / THE ELEPHANT GIRLY-FACE / THE BANYAN
DEER / THE PRINCES AND THE WATER-SPRITE; lines 1228-1339
start: '1228'
end: '1339'
translation: Jataka tales
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: A king sends his two elder sons to the forest to protect them from court
danger after the queen asks that the youngest inherit the kingdom. The youngest
follows them. At a pond controlled by a water-sprite, the youngest and middle
brothers fail to answer a question and are taken into a cave. The eldest recognizes
the danger, answers rightly, chooses to save the youngest brother out of duty
and kindness, and the water-sprite restores both brothers. The princes later return,
the eldest becomes king, shares rule with his brothers, and gives the water-sprite
a dwelling in the palace grounds.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A king has three sons named Prince of the Stars, Moon Prince, and Sun Prince.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The queen asks the king to give the kingdom to Sun Prince, the youngest son.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:3
text: The king says the kingdom belongs by right first to the oldest son, then to
the second son, and only afterward to the third son.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:4
text: The king fears the queen may harm the older princes and sends them to live
in the forest until his death.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:5
text: Sun Prince chooses to go with his brothers into the forest.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:6
text: The brothers reach a forest pond and rest in its shade.
category: setting
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:7
text: The Fairy King has given the pond to a water-sprite, who has power over all
who enter the water except those who answer one question correctly.
category: relationship
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:8
text: The required question is what the Good Fairies are like.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:9
text: Sun Prince enters the pond, gives an incorrect answer, and is carried into
the water-sprite's cave.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- id: obs:10
text: Moon Prince reaches the water's edge, gives an incorrect answer, and is dragged
into the cave with Sun Prince.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: obs:11
text: The eldest brother notices the footsteps going down into the water, infers
that a water-sprite lives in the pond, and arms himself with sword and bow.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: obs:12
text: The water-sprite approaches the eldest brother in the form of a woodsman.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: obs:13
text: The eldest brother identifies the water-sprite as the captor of his brothers.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:12
- id: obs:14
text: The eldest brother answers that the Good Fairies are like the pure in heart
who fear sin and are good and kindly in word and deed.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- id: obs:15
text: When offered the return of one brother, the eldest brother asks for the younger
one, explaining that Sun Prince was the reason their father sent them away and
he could not leave him behind.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: obs:16
text: The water-sprite praises the eldest brother as wise and kind and brings back
both brothers.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:15
- id: obs:17
text: After the king dies, the brothers return to the palace; the eldest becomes
king, has his brothers rule with him, and builds a home for the water-sprite in
the palace grounds.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: King
description: Father of three sons; he sends the older sons to the forest to protect
them and states the order of royal succession.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: Queen
description: Mother of Sun Prince; she requests that the youngest son receive the
kingdom.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: Prince of the Stars / eldest brother / Wise Prince
description: Oldest son of the king; recognizes the water-sprite, answers the question
correctly, chooses Sun Prince when offered one brother, and later becomes king.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:10
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: Moon Prince
description: Second son of the king; gives an incorrect answer to the water-sprite
and is taken into the cave, later restored.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:9
- ev:15
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: Sun Prince
description: Youngest son of the king; follows his brothers into the forest, gives
an incorrect answer to the water-sprite, and is taken into the cave, later restored.
role_refs:
- role:7
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
- ev:8
- ev:15
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: Fairy King
description: Gives the pond to the water-sprite and sets the condition involving
the question about the Good Fairies.
role_refs:
- role:9
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: Water-sprite
description: A being who controls the pond, questions those who approach or enter
it, takes the younger princes into a cave, appears as a woodsman, and restores
both brothers after the eldest answers and chooses rightly.
role_refs:
- role:10
- role:11
- role:12
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:11
- ev:15
- ev:16
- id: fig:8
name_or_label: Good Fairies
description: The subject of the water-sprite's question; the correct answer describes
them as pure in heart, fearful of sin, good, and kindly in word and deed.
role_refs:
- role:13
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:13
roles:
- id: role:1
label: royal father
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: The passage identifies him as a king with three sons.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: protector of succession
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He says the kingdom belongs by right to the elder sons first and sends them
away for safety.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:3
label: boon-claiming mother
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: She invokes a promised boon to ask for the kingdom for Sun Prince.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: role:4
label: rightful heir
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: The king states that the kingdom belongs by right to the oldest son, and
the eldest later becomes king.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:16
- id: role:5
label: wise question-answerer
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He correctly answers the water-sprite's question and is addressed as Wise
Prince.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:15
- id: role:6
label: selfless elder brother
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He asks for the younger brother to be restored rather than the second brother,
citing the circumstances of their exile.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
- id: role:7
label: captured brother
assigned_to:
- fig:4
- fig:5
basis: Both Moon Prince and Sun Prince are taken into the cave after failing to
answer the water-sprite's question correctly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:8
label: youngest prince
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: The passage identifies Sun Prince as the third son and youngest child.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- id: role:9
label: grantor of enchanted pond
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: He gives the pond to the water-sprite and defines who will be in the sprite's
power.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: role:10
label: threshold questioner
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The water-sprite asks entrants what the Good Fairies are like and has power
over those who answer wrongly.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: role:11
label: captor and restorer
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The water-sprite takes two princes into the cave and later brings both back.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:15
- id: role:12
label: disguised being
assigned_to:
- fig:7
basis: The water-sprite comes to the eldest prince in the form of a woodsman.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- id: role:13
label: moral exemplar category
assigned_to:
- fig:8
basis: The correct answer defines the Good Fairies through purity, fear of sin,
goodness, and kind words and deeds.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: pond
literal_form: forest pond
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:10
- id: sym:2
label: water
literal_form: pond water entered by those subject to the water-sprite's power
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:10
- id: sym:3
label: cave
literal_form: water-sprite's cave beneath or connected to the pond
associated_figures:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
taxonomy_refs:
- cave
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
- id: sym:4
label: forest
literal_form: forest where the princes live in exile and encounter the pond
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:16
- id: sym:5
label: sword and bow
literal_form: sword and bow carried by the eldest brother at the pond
associated_figures:
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- id: sym:6
label: sun, moon, and stars names
literal_form: 'the princes'' names: Prince of the Stars, Moon Prince, and Sun Prince'
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: sym:7
label: right answer
literal_form: spoken answer about what the Good Fairies are like
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:7
- fig:8
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:13
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Royal boon and threatened succession
summary: The queen asks that Sun Prince receive the kingdom, but the king affirms
the elder sons' prior rights and fears harm may come to them.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: scene:2
label: Exile of the brothers to the forest
summary: The king sends the elder sons away until his death, and Sun Prince chooses
to accompany them into the forest.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
symbol_refs:
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: First failed answer at the pond
summary: At the forest pond, Sun Prince is sent to bathe and fetch water, answers
the water-sprite's question incorrectly, and is carried to the cave.
figure_refs:
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- ev:8
- id: scene:4
label: Second failed answer at the pond
summary: Moon Prince goes to look for Sun Prince, answers incorrectly, and is also
taken into the cave.
figure_refs:
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:3
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:9
- id: scene:5
label: Eldest prince confronts the disguised water-sprite
summary: The eldest brother sees tracks leading into the water, infers the presence
of a water-sprite, arms himself, recognizes the sprite despite its woodsman form,
and challenges it about his brothers.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:10
- ev:11
- ev:12
- id: scene:6
label: Correct answer and compassionate choice
summary: The eldest brother gives the correct moral answer, chooses that Sun Prince
be restored when offered one brother, and the water-sprite returns both brothers.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
- fig:8
symbol_refs:
- sym:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
- id: scene:7
label: Return and shared rule
summary: After the king dies, the three princes return to the palace, the eldest
is made king, his brothers rule with him, and a home is built for the water-sprite
in the palace grounds.
figure_refs:
- fig:3
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: exile of rightful heirs to the forest
taxonomy_refs:
- departure
- royal_legitimacy
basis: The king sends the older princes away to the forest to preserve their lives
and later the eldest returns to take the throne by right.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:16
confidence: high
cautions: The passage frames the exile as protective rather than as a heroic quest
by the princes.
- id: motif:2
label: supernatural guardian poses a life-or-death question at water
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: A water-sprite controls a pond and captures those who enter or approach without
giving the correct answer to a question.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- ev:8
- ev:9
- ev:13
confidence: high
cautions: The available taxonomy has no specific riddle-guardian or ordeal-at-water
category; wisdom is the closest supported family.
- id: motif:3
label: wrong answers lead to supernatural captivity
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: Sun Prince and Moon Prince each answer the water-sprite's question incorrectly
and are taken into the cave.
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
- ev:9
confidence: high
cautions: This is extracted as a passage-level pattern rather than a named external
motif.
- id: motif:4
label: wise and compassionate answer restores the captives
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
- sacred_exchange
basis: The eldest brother's correct answer and his choice to save the youngest lead
the water-sprite to return both brothers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:13
- ev:14
- ev:15
confidence: high
cautions: The exchange is verbal and moral; no material offering is made.
- id: motif:5
label: disguised supernatural being tests a human
taxonomy_refs:
- shapeshifter
- wisdom
basis: The water-sprite appears in the form of a woodsman and engages the eldest
prince, who identifies him and answers the test.
evidence_refs:
- ev:11
- ev:12
- ev:13
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage says the sprite came in the form of a woodsman, but the core
test had already been established before the disguise.
- id: motif:6
label: younger sibling chosen for rescue from supernatural peril
taxonomy_refs:
- sibling_pair
- sacrifice
basis: When offered only one brother's return, the eldest asks for Sun Prince rather
than the middle brother, explaining he cannot leave the youngest behind.
evidence_refs:
- ev:14
confidence: medium
cautions: This involves three brothers, not only a sibling pair, and the eldest's
choice does not require his own death.
- id: motif:7
label: restored royal order with shared rule
taxonomy_refs:
- return
- royal_legitimacy
basis: After forest exile and the pond ordeal, the brothers return to the palace,
the eldest is made king, and he includes his brothers in rule.
evidence_refs:
- ev:16
confidence: high
cautions: The passage does not describe a contested accession after the return.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: 1228-1234
quote_or_summary: 'A king has three sons: Prince of the Stars, Moon Prince, and
Sun Prince; the third son''s birth prompts the king to promise the queen a boon.'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: 1235-1242
quote_or_summary: On Sun Prince's twenty-first birthday, the queen invokes the promised
boon and asks that the kingdom be given to Sun Prince.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: 1243-1246
quote_or_summary: The king refuses, saying the kingdom must go first to the oldest
son, then the second, and only after both are dead to the third.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: 1247-1255
quote_or_summary: The king fears the queen may harm the older princes and sends
them to live in the forest until his death, telling them to return later to reign
in the city that is theirs by right.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: 1256-1263
quote_or_summary: Sun Prince asks where his brothers are going and, after hearing
the reason, says he will go with them.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:6
type: summary
locator: 1264-1268
quote_or_summary: The three brothers reach the forest and sit in the shade of a
pond; the eldest sends Sun Prince to bathe, drink, and bring water.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: 1269-1276
quote_or_summary: The Fairy King has given the pond to a water-sprite, granting
him power over all who go down into the water except those who correctly answer
the question, 'What are the Good Fairies like?'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized with short quoted question.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: 1277-1284
quote_or_summary: Sun Prince enters the pond, answers that the Good Fairies are
like the Sun and Moon, and the water-sprite says he does not know and carries
him into the cave.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:9
type: summary
locator: 1285-1294
quote_or_summary: Moon Prince goes to find his brother, answers that the Good Fairies
are like the sky above, and the water-sprite drags him into the cave where Sun
Prince sits.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:10
type: summary
locator: 1295-1301
quote_or_summary: The eldest brother suspects something has happened, sees his brothers'
footprints leading into the water, concludes a water-sprite lives in the pond,
and stands armed with sword and bow.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:11
type: summary
locator: 1302-1305
quote_or_summary: The water-sprite comes in the form of a woodsman and invites the
prince to bathe in the lake and rest on the bank.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:12
type: summary
locator: 1306-1314
quote_or_summary: The prince knows the being is a water-sprite and accuses him of
carrying off his brothers; the sprite admits it and explains they failed to answer
his question.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:13
type: quote
locator: 1315-1321
quote_or_summary: 'The eldest brother answers that the Good Fairies are like: "The
pure in heart who fear to sin, / The good, kindly in word and deed."'
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short quotation.
- id: ev:14
type: summary
locator: 1322-1327
quote_or_summary: When the water-sprite offers to bring back one brother, the eldest
asks for the younger one, saying their father sent them away on Sun Prince's account
and he could not leave Sun Prince there.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:15
type: summary
locator: 1328-1331
quote_or_summary: The water-sprite says the Wise Prince knows what the good should
do and is kind, and he brings back both brothers.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
- id: ev:16
type: summary
locator: 1332-1339
quote_or_summary: The three princes live in the forest until the king dies, then
return to the palace; the eldest is made king, has his brothers rule with him,
and builds a home for the water-sprite in the palace grounds.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summarized.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: The plot, figures, and symbols are explicit in the supplied passage. Motif
labels use only available broad taxonomy refs where supported; comparison claims
are omitted because the passage itself does not establish an external comparison.
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: |-
Only the supplied passage and metadata were used. The supplied passage text contains only 'THE PRINCES AND THE WATER-SPRITE' despite the broader locator label listing adjacent tale titles.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg__l1228-l1339
passage_sha256=33f6b6943cfea52a62088f3192e714fc8d1f394347883191bd2dd872405188cd