Reading Notes: Twenty-Two Goblins Part B

The Brahman who died because Poison from a Snake in the Claws of a Hawk fell into a Dish of Foodgiven him by a Charitable Woman. Who is to blame for his death?

Lesson: The snake cannot be blamed because he was eaten by his enemy and could not help himself. The hawk was hungry and saw nothing. You can't blame the charitable people who gave food to an unexpected guest. The dead man himself was to blame because he dared to accuse one of the others. He accused the charitable woman. 

eagle killing a snake with its talons at Wikimedia

The Four Brothers who brought a Dead Lion to Life. Which is to blame when he kills them all?

Four brothers journeyed to different directions to learn science and come back to tell each other what they found. 

First brother: "I have learned a science by which I can take the skeleton of any animal whatever and put the proper kind of flesh on it."

Second brother: "I have learned a science by which I can put on the flesh-covered skeleton to proper hair and skin."

Third brother: "When the skin and the flesh and the hair are there, I can put in the eyes and the other organs of sense."

Fourth brother: "When the organs are there, I can give the creature the breath of life."

They resurrected a lion and the lion killed all four creators. 

Lesson: The one who gave life to the lion is the sinner. The others did not know what kind of animal it was and just demonstrated their skills. They we're ignorant. The one who saw it was the lion and gave it life just to exhibit his skill is guilty. 

Bibliography: "Twenty-Two Goblins," translated by Arthur Ryder. Illustrated by Perham W. Nahl.