Cover of Jataka tales

Jataka tales

  • 🎧 1 h 21 min free audiobook

Jataka tales is a folklore and fairy tales novel by Ellen C. Babbitt.

On Project Gutenberg it was downloaded 1,140 times in the last 30 days.

It is in the public domain, so you can read it free on Project Gutenberg or listen to the 1 h 21 min LibriVox audiobook.

About Jataka tales

"Jataka Tales" by Ellen C. Babbitt is a collection of moral stories that were originally part of Buddhist literature, likely written in the early 20th century. The tales recount the adventures of the Buddha in his former lives, often illustrated with profound moral lessons suitable for children. The stories draw from ancient folklore and reflect themes of wisdom, kindness, and self-sacrifice. The book comprises a series of engaging fables, each featuring animals in roles that highlight their virtues and vices. For example, in "The Monkey and the Crocodile," cleverness saves the monkey from being eaten, while "The Banyan Deer" showcases selflessness as the king of the deer sacrifices himself for the sake of another. Each tale is crafted to impart ethical teachings, encouraging readers to reflect on values such as cooperation, honesty, and the importance of thinking before acting. Through these charming stories, Babbitt presents timeless wisdom wrapped in delightful narratives that resonate with both young and adult audiences.
Summary from Project Gutenberg (automatically generated)

Free audiobook

Jataka tales — LibriVox recording, 1 h 21 min in 19 sections.

Public-domain recording by volunteer readers. Listen online, download MP3s or stream from the Internet Archive.

Themes, setting & tropes

Genres

Subjects

  • Animals, Folklore
  • Folklore, India
  • Jataka stories, English
  • Jataka stories

Quick answers

Who wrote Jataka tales?

Jataka tales was written by Ellen C. Babbitt.

What genre is Jataka tales?

It is usually shelved as Fairy Tales & Folklore.

Is Jataka tales free to read?

Yes. It is in the public domain in the United States and can be read free on Project Gutenberg in EPUB, Kindle and HTML formats.

Is there a free audiobook of Jataka tales?

Yes — LibriVox volunteers recorded it; the recording runs 1 h 21 min.

What books are similar to Jataka tales?

Readers who like it often enjoy The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse, Indian Fairy Tales and Dracula.

More by Ellen C. Babbitt

All books →

Books like Jataka tales