The Battle Of The Monkey And The Crab
Japanese folklore is rich in stories that have been passed down through generations. One such story is the Battle of the Monkey and the Crab. It is a story of wit, deceit, and revenge, which teaches important lessons about the consequences of greed and dishonesty.
Origin of the Story
The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab is a popular Japanese folktale that originated in the Edo period (1603-1868). The story was first recorded in a collection of stories called the "Otogi-zoshi," which was published in the 17th century.
The story revolves around a monkey and a crab who lived in a forest near a river. One day, the monkey found a persimmon fruit and decided to eat it. The crab, who was passing by, asked the monkey for a share of the fruit. However, the monkey refused to share and ate the fruit alone.
The Crab's Revenge
The crab was deeply hurt by the monkey's selfish behavior and decided to take revenge. She devised a plan to deceive the monkey and teach him a lesson that he would never forget.
The crab invited the monkey for a party near the river. She promised to serve him delicious mochi (rice cakes) that she had made herself. The monkey, who loved mochi, eagerly accepted the invitation and went to the party.
When the monkey arrived at the party, he saw that the mochi was being cooked over a fire. The crab told the monkey to close his eyes and wait while she served him the mochi. However, instead of mochi, the crab served hot stones to the monkey. The monkey, who had closed his eyes, could not see what was being served and ate the hot stones, burning his mouth badly.
The Monkey's Revenge
The monkey was furious when he realized that he had been deceived by the crab. He decided to take revenge and kill the crab.
One day, the monkey found a chestnut shell by the river and thought of using it as a weapon to kill the crab. He went to the crab's house and told her that he had found a treasure near the river and that he would share it with her. The crab, who was unaware of the monkey's plan, eagerly followed him to the river.
However, when they reached the river, the monkey hit the crab with the chestnut shell. However, the crab was not as defenseless as the monkey had thought. She had brought along her children, who were hiding nearby. Her children came to her rescue and attacked the monkey, forcing him to flee.
The Moral of the Story
The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab teaches us several important moral lessons. Firstly, it shows us that greed and selfishness can have severe consequences. The monkey, who was unwilling to share the persimmon fruit, ended up burning his mouth and almost losing his life.
Secondly, it shows us that revenge is never the right answer. Both the monkey and the crab took revenge on each other, leading to a cycle of violence and hatred. It was only the intervention of the crab's children that stopped the fighting.
The story also teaches us the importance of empathy and kindness towards others. The crab, even after being deceived by the monkey, did not hold a grudge and invited him to the party. It was only the monkey's greed that led to the conflict between them.
Conclusion
The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab is a timeless story that continues to resonate with people of all ages. It highlights the importance of values like honesty, kindness, and empathy in our lives. The story also teaches us to be cautious of our actions and to avoid being swayed by greed and selfishness.
