# Gratitude and Ingratitude in Indian Fairy Tales

> Theme guide for Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs.

A recurring theme across multiple tales, such as 'The Lion and the Crane' and 'The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal,' where animals or humans perform good deeds only to be met with ingratitude or betrayal, highlighting the moral value of thankfulness.

## Where it surfaces

- [Indian Fairy Tales](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/indian-fairy-tales): The lion's refusal to thank the crane and the tiger's ingratitude toward Gangazara highlight the consequences of ingratitude.
- [The Lion and the Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-lion-and-the-crane): The crane saves the lion's life, but the lion refuses any return of gratitude, prompting the crane's rebuke and departure.
- [How the Raja’s Son Won the Princess Labam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-the-raja-s-son-won-the-princess-labam): The Ant-Raja and the tiger both express gratitude for the prince's kindness, promising future help, contrasting with the king's harsh conditions.
- [The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-tiger-the-brahman-and-the-jackal): The tiger's ingratitude after being freed contrasts with the Brahman's initial kindness, and the pipal tree, buffalo, and road all argue that ingratitude is common in the world.
- [The Soothsayer's Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-soothsayer-s-son): The tiger, serpent, and rat show gratitude to Gangazara for rescuing them, while the goldsmith repays his rescue with betrayal, highlighting the contrast between animal loyalty and human ingratitude.
- [The Charmed Ring](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-charmed-ring): The snake repays the merchant's son's kindness with magical gifts, while the ogress and prince act ungratefully by stealing the ring.
- [The Talkative Tortoise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-talkative-tortoise): The tortoise's ingratitude toward his friends' help leads to his downfall, as he fails to follow their instructions.
- [The Gold-Giving Serpent](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/the-gold-giving-serpent): The son's ingratitude toward the serpent's generosity destroys the bond, and the serpent later refuses to forgive the father despite his offerings.
- [Raja Rasalu](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/raja-rasalu): The cricket shows gratitude by giving Rasalu a feeler after he rescues it from the fire, contrasting with the ingratitude of Rasalu's parents who spurn him.
- [How Sun, Moon, and Wind Went Out to Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-sun-moon-and-wind-went-out-to-dinner): Moon shows gratitude by remembering her mother, while Sun and Wind are ungrateful and selfish.
- [How the Wicked Sons Were Duped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/how-the-wicked-sons-were-duped): The sons show ingratitude after receiving their inheritance, contrasting with their earlier feigned affection.
- [I: The Lion and the Crane](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/i-the-lion-and-the-crane): The central theme of the fable, where the lion refuses to show gratitude to the crane for removing a bone from his throat.
- [II: Princess Labam](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ii-princess-labam): The grateful animals theme is central, with parallels to other Indian tales like 'The Soothsayer’s Son' and the common thorn-in-tiger's-foot motif.
- [The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/ix-the-tiger-the-brahman-and-the-jackal): The tiger's ingratitude after being freed is the central conflict, and the judges' responses highlight human and animal ingratitude.
- [X: The Soothsayer’s Son](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/x-the-soothsayer-s-son): Central theme contrasting the gratitude of beasts (lion, serpent) with the ingratitude of man (Vitalis), used by Richard Cœur de Lion to rebuke ungrateful nobles.
- [XIII: The Talkative Tortoise](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xiii-the-talkative-tortoise): The taunts of the other birds reflect ingratitude and mockery, contributing to the tortoise's fatal response.
- [Sun, Moon, and Wind](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxvii-sun-moon-and-wind): The Moon's gratitude toward her mother contrasts sharply with the Sun and Wind's ingratitude, highlighting the moral lesson of remembering and honoring one's parents.
- [How Wicked Sons Were Duped](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxviii-how-wicked-sons-were-duped): The story is intended to condemn ungrateful children who mistreat their father after receiving his wealth.
- [XXIX: The Pigeon and the Crow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/chapters/xxix-the-pigeon-and-the-crow): The pigeon shows kindness by sharing food, but the crow's ingratitude and greed result in its downfall.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/themes/gratitude_and_ingratitude
- Themes index: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/indian_fairy_tales_se/themes