Reading Notes: The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India; Part B

All readings derived from The Giant Crab, and Other Tales from Old India by W. H. D. Rouse

Union is Strength

• Very clever lesson that was incorporated in the story. Here, the trapper knows that, even though his tactics were not working on the clever quails, eventually they would begin to quarrel with each other and get trapped
• This is a common tale regarding the faults of human nature, even when they are in a good position, eventually conflicts do arise and it can lead to the down fall of the whole group!
• The dialogue was very fanciful and exaggerated speech
• For example "A lie, is it? Hoity, toity, how high and mighty we are, to be sure! I suppose it is you life up the net, all by yourself, when the man throws it over us!"
• This is something that is uncommon in today's conversation but is very prominent in stories such as this.
• This story does not start nor end with any stereotypical introductions or conclusions (if you consider "there once ... " as stereotypical
• Overall, it does end tragically for the birds, which is something that is common within stories such as these

The Lion and the Boar

• I particularly enjoyed the ending, where there was a sense of cleverness that was addressed to the Boar, with the inclusion of the "wink."
• The particular dialogue was in poetic form that rhymed, signifying its importance and was meant to stand out from the rest of the story.
• This is something I think I can incorporate! I hadn't thought about the poetic form before
• There is a theme to be said about the lesson and consequences of trickery that when faced, can be lead to humbleness

(The Lion Looking for the Boar. Source: W. Robinson)