batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg-l948-l1073
---
record_id: batch.motif.buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg-l948-l1073
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
passage_locator:
label: THE QUARREL OF THE QUAILS / THE MEASURE OF RICE / THE FOOLISH, TIMID RABBIT
/ THE WISE AND THE FOOLISH MERCHANT; lines 948-1073
start: '948'
end: '1073'
translation: Jataka tales
notes: Generated from OpenAI Batch run motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority;
human review required.
canonical_text:
quote: ''
summary: Two merchants set out separately with goods. The foolish merchant goes
first across a desert, is deceived by a demon disguised as a wet traveler, empties
his water-jars, and loses his party. Later the wise merchant meets the same deception,
recognizes the demon by his lack of shadow, tests the claim by asking about ponds,
damp wind, and rain clouds, keeps the water, and reaches the abandoned wagons
of the foolish merchant.
language: English
quote_policy: summarized
literal_observations:
- id: obs:1
text: A thrifty merchant and a stupid young merchant both buy goods in a great city
and prepare to travel through the country to sell them.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:2
text: The thrifty merchant decides the two caravans should not travel together because
wood, water, and grass would be insufficient for all the men and oxen.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:3
text: The young merchant chooses to go first, while the thrifty merchant accepts
going later and reasons that the first caravan will smooth roads, consume old
grass, dig wells, and set prices.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: obs:4
text: The foolish merchant comes to a desert and loads a large wagon with great
water-jars for the crossing.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- id: obs:5
text: A wicked demon living on the desert plans to make the foolish merchant empty
the water-jars so that he can overpower him.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:6
text: The demon changes into the likeness of a noble gentleman, rides in a carriage
with milk-white oxen, and is accompanied by ten demons dressed and armed like
men.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:7
text: The demon stages signs of water by putting mud on the wheels, hanging water-lilies
and wet grasses on the oxen and carriage, and making the attendants' clothes and
hair wet.
category: object
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- id: obs:8
text: The disguised demon tells the foolish merchant that there are ponds and frequent
rains ahead and advises him to empty the water-jars.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- id: obs:9
text: The foolish merchant empties every jar, leaving not even a cupful of water.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:10
text: After the water is emptied, the supposed forest ahead proves to be clouds,
no water is found, and the men and oxen suffer from thirst and hunger.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:11
text: At night the demons fall upon the weakened caravan, carry off every man, drive
the oxen ahead, and leave the loaded carts behind.
category: action
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: obs:12
text: A month and a half later the wise merchant travels the same road and meets
the same demon in the desert.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:13
text: The wise merchant knows the apparent man is a demon because he casts no shadow.
category: attribute
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:14
text: The wise merchant refuses to throw away water until he reaches a place where
more water can be seen.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: obs:15
text: When his men want to lighten the carts, the wise merchant asks whether anyone
has heard of a pond or lake in the desert, feels damp wind, or sees a rain cloud.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:16
text: After receiving negative answers, the wise merchant identifies the strangers
as demons and orders the caravan not to throw away any water.
category: speech
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: obs:17
text: Before nightfall the wise merchant's caravan comes upon the loaded wagons
belonging to the foolish merchant.
category: sequence
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
figures:
- id: fig:1
name_or_label: thrifty merchant / wise merchant
description: A merchant who plans the travel order, later recognizes the demon,
questions the evidence, and preserves the water.
role_refs:
- role:1
- role:2
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:2
name_or_label: stupid young merchant / foolish merchant
description: A merchant who goes first, is deceived by the disguised demon, empties
his water-jars, and loses his caravan.
role_refs:
- role:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: fig:3
name_or_label: wicked demon
description: A desert-dwelling demon who disguises himself as a noble gentleman
and persuades travelers to discard water.
role_refs:
- role:4
- role:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: fig:4
name_or_label: ten other demons
description: Demon followers dressed like men and armed with bows, arrows, swords,
and shields; they accompany the disguised demon and later attack the weakened
caravan.
role_refs:
- role:6
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: fig:5
name_or_label: men of the foolish merchant's caravan
description: The foolish merchant's men become thirsty and supperless after the
water is discarded and are later carried off by demons.
role_refs:
- role:7
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: fig:6
name_or_label: men of the wise merchant's caravan
description: The wise merchant's men initially propose throwing away the water-jars
after hearing the demon's claims, but answer the merchant's questions about local
water and weather signs.
role_refs:
- role:8
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
- id: fig:7
name_or_label: oxen
description: Oxen pull the caravans; the foolish merchant's oxen become hungry and
thirsty, and demons drive them away.
role_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- ev:5
roles:
- id: role:1
label: prudent planner
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He reasons about scarcity of wood, water, and grass, and about advantages
of traveling after the other caravan.
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: role:2
label: discerning leader
assigned_to:
- fig:1
basis: He recognizes the demon by the absence of shadow, tests the claims about
water, and orders his men to keep their water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: role:3
label: deceived traveler
assigned_to:
- fig:2
basis: He accepts the demon's false report and empties every water-jar before the
desert crossing is complete.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:4
label: supernatural deceiver
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He changes form, fabricates signs of rain and ponds, and tells the merchant
to discard the water.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: role:5
label: predatory antagonist
assigned_to:
- fig:3
basis: He plans to overpower the merchant after the water is discarded and later
waits for night with his followers.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: role:6
label: demonic attendants
assigned_to:
- fig:4
basis: They accompany the disguised demon and participate in carrying off the weakened
caravan's men.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:5
- id: role:7
label: victims of failed judgment
assigned_to:
- fig:5
basis: They are left without water or food and are carried off by demons at night.
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: role:8
label: followers requiring correction
assigned_to:
- fig:6
basis: They propose discarding the water, then are questioned by the wise merchant
about evidence for water ahead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:7
symbols:
- id: sym:1
label: water for survival
literal_form: water in great water-jars loaded into a large wagon for the desert
journey
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:6
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: sym:2
label: desert crossing
literal_form: a desert that both merchants must cross
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:6
- id: sym:3
label: false signs of rain and water
literal_form: mud on carriage wheels, water-lilies, wet grasses, wet clothes and
hair, and drops of water on faces
associated_figures:
- fig:3
- fig:4
taxonomy_refs:
- water
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- id: sym:4
label: absence of shadow
literal_form: the disguised demon casts no shadow
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:3
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- id: sym:5
label: abandoned loaded wagons
literal_form: loaded wagons belonging to the foolish merchant left on the road
associated_figures:
- fig:1
- fig:2
taxonomy_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- ev:8
scenes:
- id: scene:1
label: Merchants choose travel order
summary: Two merchants prepare to travel with goods. The young merchant chooses
to go first, while the thrifty merchant chooses to follow and reasons that this
will create practical advantages.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
- fig:7
symbol_refs: []
evidence_refs:
- ev:1
- id: scene:2
label: Demon deceives the first caravan
summary: In the desert, the demon disguises himself and stages wet signs to persuade
the foolish merchant that water is available ahead. The foolish merchant empties
all water-jars.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:3
- fig:4
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:5
- id: scene:3
label: Loss of the foolish caravan
summary: After discarding its water, the first caravan finds no forest or water,
grows weak from thirst and hunger, and is attacked by demons at night.
figure_refs:
- fig:2
- fig:4
- fig:5
- fig:7
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:5
- id: scene:4
label: Wise merchant resists the same deception
summary: The wise merchant meets the same demon, recognizes him by his lack of shadow,
refuses to discard water, and questions his men about evidence for ponds, damp
wind, and rain clouds.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:3
- fig:6
symbol_refs:
- sym:1
- sym:2
- sym:3
- sym:4
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
- ev:7
- id: scene:5
label: Discovery of the abandoned wagons
summary: The wise merchant's caravan continues without discarding water and reaches
the loaded wagons of the foolish merchant before nightfall.
figure_refs:
- fig:1
- fig:2
symbol_refs:
- sym:5
evidence_refs:
- ev:8
candidate_motifs:
- id: motif:1
label: wise and foolish travelers face the same test
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The two merchants encounter the same desert danger and demonic deception,
but the foolish merchant discards the water while the wise merchant preserves
it after testing the evidence.
evidence_refs:
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: The taxonomy reference is broad; the passage frames the contrast as wise
versus foolish conduct.
- id: motif:2
label: deceptive supernatural stranger on the road
taxonomy_refs:
- trickster_boundary
basis: A demon at the desert crossing assumes a human guise, fabricates environmental
signs, and misleads travelers about the road ahead.
evidence_refs:
- ev:3
- ev:4
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: The passage calls the being a demon rather than a trickster; the taxonomy
mapping is functional and should be reviewed.
- id: motif:3
label: life-preserving resource must not be discarded on false assurance
taxonomy_refs:
- wisdom
basis: The water-jars determine survival in the desert; the foolish merchant empties
them on hearsay, while the wise merchant keeps them until actual water is seen.
evidence_refs:
- ev:2
- ev:4
- ev:5
- ev:6
- ev:7
confidence: high
cautions: This is a practical wisdom pattern rather than a named motif in the supplied
taxonomy.
- id: motif:4
label: recognition of disguised demon by physical sign
taxonomy_refs: []
basis: The wise merchant identifies the disguised man as a demon because he casts
no shadow.
evidence_refs:
- ev:6
confidence: medium
cautions: Only one diagnostic sign is given; no supplied symbol taxonomy reference
directly applies.
comparison_claims: []
evidence:
- id: ev:1
type: summary
locator: lines 948-979, opening setup
quote_or_summary: Two merchants buy goods; the thrifty merchant proposes separate
travel because resources will be scarce, and the young merchant chooses to go
first while the thrifty merchant sees advantages in following.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:2
type: summary
locator: lines 980-984, first desert departure
quote_or_summary: The foolish merchant leaves the city, reaches a desert, fills
great water-jars, loads them into a large wagon, and begins crossing.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:3
type: summary
locator: lines 985-999, demon's disguise
quote_or_summary: A wicked desert demon plans to make the merchant empty the jars,
changes into a noble gentleman, summons a carriage and ten armed demon attendants,
and creates wet signs on the carriage, oxen, clothing, and hair.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:4
type: summary
locator: lines 1000-1022, false report of water ahead
quote_or_summary: The disguised demon claims that the dark streak ahead is a forest
with ponds and frequent rain, asks about the carts, and advises the merchant to
empty the water-jars because they are no longer needed.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:5
type: summary
locator: lines 1024-1033, consequence for the foolish caravan
quote_or_summary: The foolish merchant empties every jar. The dark line proves to
be clouds, no water is found, men and oxen become hungry and thirsty, and demons
carry off every man at night while leaving the loaded carts.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:6
type: quote
locator: lines 1035-1041, wise merchant meets demon
quote_or_summary: The wise man knew the man was a demon because he cast no shadow;
he says they do not throw away water until they see more.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; short excerpt/paraphrase from provided passage.
- id: ev:7
type: summary
locator: lines 1043-1067, wise merchant questions his men
quote_or_summary: The men propose discarding the water, but the wise merchant asks
whether anyone knows of a pond or lake, feels damp wind, or sees a rain cloud.
After negative answers, he says the strangers were demons and orders that not
even a half-pint of water be thrown away.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
- id: ev:8
type: summary
locator: lines 1069-1073, abandoned wagons found
quote_or_summary: The wise caravan continues and before nightfall reaches the loaded
wagons belonging to the foolish merchant.
source_text_path: texts/public-domain/buddhist/project-gutenberg/jataka-tales-babbitt.md
rights_note: Public domain source; summary generated from provided passage.
confidence:
extraction: high
motif_candidates: medium
comparison_claims: high
notes: Extraction is based only on the supplied passage. Motif taxonomy mappings
are broad and should be reviewed, especially the trickster_boundary assignment
for a demon deceiver.
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: |-
No cross-tradition comparison claims were added because the passage itself does not explicitly compare this tale with another text or tradition.
batch_run_id=motif-extraction-2026-04-28-high-priority
custom_id=motif_extract:buddhist-jataka-tales-babbitt-gutenberg__l948-l1073
passage_sha256=c23fe42a01be71ead82b592bcf7134779e2dae6104b3fffac0ec709c014ba106