Invincible India

Teasing the Almighty

I will be exploring the culture and religion of India from the short story “teasing the almighty” retold by Chong Kum Fatt, an Indian folk tale. The story has many hints and gestures about religion, people, jobs, and surroundings.
First of all, about the daily life of the main character, the woodcutter, I was able to pick up that he tends animals such as buffalos, goats, and chickens, and obviously that he is a woodcutter. From these facts we can assume that he is in the lower class, since he has to do physical labor for a living. Also, it mentions that the woodcutter lives near the jungle, and since most high class people live in cities, which tend not to be next to a jungle, we know that the community he comes from is poor or rural, because of the location. When he finishes cutting wood, it says that he has cut enough for the day, meaning that there’d be problems if he couldn’t get the day’s work done. Probably meaning that he wouldn’t have enough money or pay. Another part that justifies his class is when he begs Allah for help, he offers buffalos, goats, chickens, and eggs. From that, we see that those are the most he can offer, and cannot offer money or anything expensive.
The religion of the country is Hindu and Islam as we know, and in this story, the woodcutter is Muslim. When the woodcutter foolishly trapped himself on the tree, he calls to Allah for help in getting down. Since the Islam god was the only god mentioned, we can tell that the woodcutter only believed in Allah and not the Hindu gods. Also the method of prayers he used to get himself down was bribery or fair trade, which tells us a little about their culture. Considering the amount of bribery he had announced to Allah we can assume that, that is the way the Indians at the time got what they wanted, and the way they lived.
After the problem was resolved, the woodcutter decided to turn back on his promise and laughed at Allah for not being careful about the terms of their trade. Since he did not receive any punishment for this, we see that the Indians (Muslims) do not believe in Karma, and that the woodcutter didn’t feel any gratitude towards his god. From this story, one is to assume that the Indians are unmoral, cunning, and dishonest. Since the woodcutter had been the successful one in the end, we see that the Indians do not find being dishonest to be a wrong way to live. We may even go as far as saying that they are much like Machiavelli whose famous quote is “the end justifies its means”.
The climate, although not directly described must be cold because generally woodcutters cut wood so that they can sell firewood. In only cold temperatures would someone need firewood, and since the story made it seem like cutting enough wood would make the day’s income, we can tell that it is a pretty stable market. Although it must be cold it wasn’t freezing and it probably isn’t winter since there was a jungle in the neighborhood as described. The animals that the woodcutter owned also fit into the description of India, therefore we have proof that the story is from India.
This story was a traditional folk tale that has been past on for many centuries, not as a moral but for amusement and laughter.

-Haruka Fukukawa

The folk tale that I read was about a man, a jackal, and a tiger, it takes place in India. This story was called The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal, and was retold by a man named Joseph Jacobs, so the exact date of which it was made is unknown. The genre of the folk tale is trickery. The Jackal tricks the tiger into the cage, and shuts the door in order to save the man’s life. Based on the text, this could have taken place in a rural area. “Then the Brahman, sad at heart, went further afield till he saw a buffalo turning a well-wheel; but he fared no better from it…” You do not normally find a buffalo turning a well-wheel in a city, or even the suburbs of a city. People at this time in history, or part of the world really are not grateful for what the environment gives them. “…the pipal tree replied coldly, “What have you to complain about? Don’t I give shade and shelter to every one who passes by, and don’t they in return tear down my branches to feed their cattle? Don’t whimper–be a man!” People do not treat plants like they should, so the pipal tree would not help the man when he was in need. Here is another example. “…he saw a buffalo turning a well-wheel; but he fared no better from it, for it answered, “You are a fool to expect gratitude! Look at me! Whilst I gave milk they fed me on cotton-seed and oil-cake, but now I am dry they yoke me here, and give me refuse as fodder!” Not only do people treat plants badly, but they also treat animals like they were nothing. Due to the clues within the text, they must be in a tropical, jungle like environment. “Once upon a time, a tiger was caught in a trap. He tried in vain to get out through the bars, and rolled and bit with rage and grief when he failed.” Tigers in India do not live in the snow, or in cities, they only live in jungle like areas. The form of language that they use in the story is a bit old. “Give me five minutes, my lord!” he pleaded, “in order that I may explain matters to the jackal here, who is somewhat slow in his wits.” People today never speak like this unless they are in a play or something about theater. The jackal speaks like he wasn’t educated at all, sort of like someone in the southern United States. “Why, what’s the matter, Mr. Brahman? You look as miserable as a fish out of water!” Some of the animals in the jungle, such as the jackal do not know the correct way to speak. One part of the text that stuck out to me was that the man was walking. “By chance a poor Brahman came by. “Let me out of this cage, oh pious one!” cried the tiger.” Wealthy people usually do not walk, so either he lives in a time where the wealthy walk with the poor, or he is a poor rich man that cannot buy a carriage. Instead of reading pages and pages of internet sites to find information about a country, you could just read a few folk tales about a country. Folk tales can really tell you more about a countries culture, climate, or daily life within that country.

-Kristofer Merideth