Greed and Its Consequences

Where it surfaces

• The Lambikin

  Lambikin's greed for food and his overconfidence in his trickery lead to his downfall when the jackal outsmarts him.

• The Broken Pot

  The Brahman's greedy fantasies about future wealth lead him to kick and break the pot, losing all his rice and illustrating the downfall of unchecked avarice.

• The Cruel Crane Outwitted

  The crane's greed for eating all the fish drives its actions, but this greed ultimately results in its death, highlighting the destructive nature of greed.

• Harisarman

  Harisarman's initial greed for food leads him to deceive, while Jihva's greed for treasure leads to her fear and exposure.

• The Charmed Ring

  The prince's obsessive desire for the princess leads to theft and deception, though ultimately the hero's possessions are restored.

• A Lac of Rupees for a Bit of Advice

  The host's greed to kill the prince for his possessions is thwarted by the prince's vigilance, and the merchant's greed to kill the dog leads to his regret.

• The Gold-Giving Serpent

  The son's greed leads him to attack the serpent, resulting in his own death and the permanent loss of the gold-giving relationship.

• The Son of Seven Queens

  The king's greed for the white hind's beauty leads him to blind his queens, and the white witch's greed for power ultimately leads to her downfall.

• Pride Goeth Before a Fall

  The robbers' greed and pride in their easy conquest lead them to become overconfident, allowing the merchants to regain the upper hand.

• The Ass in the Lion’s Skin

  The ass's desire to eat freely leads to its ruin when it cannot maintain the deception.

• The Farmer and the Moneylender

  The moneylender's greed drives him to steal the conch and demand double, ultimately leading to his death.

• The Ivory City and Its Fairy Princess

  The robbers' greed leads to their downfall when the prince and his soldiers destroy their tower and seize their treasure.

• How the Wicked Sons Were Duped

  The sons' greed for more wealth leads them to be duped by the bags of stones.

• The Pigeon and the Crow

  The crow's greed leads him to steal fish, resulting in severe punishment and eventual death.

• XV: The Gold-Giving Serpent

  The son's greed for the snake's treasure leads him to attack the snake, resulting in his own death and the end of the friendship.

• Pride Goeth Before a Fall

  The crane's greed for eating all the fish results in its own death.

• XXIX: The Pigeon and the Crow

  The crow's greed leads to its capture and punishment, illustrating the moral that greed brings ruin.