AROUND THE GLOBE TALES

Africa

• Friends
• The Root of the Matter
• The Three Runners
• Uncle Spider
• Royal Servant
• The Tailless Dassie

Bhutan

• Family Misfortunes

Birbal story

• Birbal Catches A Thief

China

• Gasping Grasper
• The Short-sighted Brothers
• Moment of Madness
• Secret Of Casket
• Chicken Feed
• Why Cats Chase Rats
• Struck by Lightning
• Sound Advice
• The Generous Student
• The Naming Game
• Butterfly Lovers

Europe

• Force of Habit
• The Fisherman Who Rose Too High

France

• Wish List

Indonesia

• Double Trouble

Italy

• Advice

Japan

• Learning from the Enemy
• The Witch in the Tower
• Little One Inch
• Not True
• Coloured

Korea

• The Tiger's whisker
• The Sun-Goddess of Korea

Malaysia

• Totally Useful Youth

Myanmar

• Immune to Flattery
• Stomach Problems
• Why Crows are Black

Nepal

• Top Answers
• Dreams

Persia

• Disputed Waters

Philippines

• Making Haste Slowly

Rome

• The Dissatisfied Devotee

Russia

• Passport

West Africa

• Tug of War

Stomach Problems

In Burma, in days gone by, a wealthy landlord decided to build a rest house for wandering monks. He invited, or rather, commanded the men of the village over which he held sway, to work on the project.
"You will earn merit by this work," he announced, "so I will not pay you."
Nobody wanted to displease him so all the able-bodied men of the village came to help. All except the village simpleton. He sat on a log and watched the others work, marvelling at their industry.
The landlord's blood boiled when he spotted the idler.
"Why aren't you working!" he hollered.
"I would have liked to work on this noble undertaking," said the simpleton, rising to his feet, "but my stomach is empty. Who can work on an empty stomach?"
Seeing that the man was of robust build and capable of contributing massively to the task on hand, the landlord ordered his servants to feed him. This took a long time as the man kept on asking for second and third helpings of the food that was being served to him. But finally he pushed his plate aside, belched loudly and went to wash. Then he returned to the site.
Some time later the landlord went to inspect the work and was furious when he saw the simpleton again sitting idly on the log.
"Why aren't you working!" he roared.
"I would have liked to work," said the simpleton, rising to his feet. "Indeed I want to work on this noble undertaking. But my stomach is full. Who can work on a full stomach?"