Buddhist Fables
- The Story of Ruru Deer
- The Story of Two Swans
- The Hare on The Moon
- The Story of Chaddanta Elephant
- The Story of Great Monkey
- The Story of The Two Deer
- The Story of a Buffalo
- Silava Elephant
- The Wise Monkey
- The Story of the Golden Swan
- The Story of The Great Ape
- The Mighty Fish
- Story of the Monkey King
- Lion and Jackal
- Somdatta
- The Story of the Crows
- The Monkey Brothers
- The Story of Nigrodha Deer
- Kalbahu
- Nandivisala
- Coronation of Owl
- The Feast of the Dead
- The Heart of the Monkey
- The Story of a Rooster
- The Story of a Tigeress
- The Pigeon and The Crow
- The Story of Romaka Pigeon
- The Story of Khardiya Deer
- The Thankless Monkey
- Can A Fool Ever Act Good!
- The Story of a Tortoise
- Jackal –The Arbitrator
- The Story of a Snake Charmer
- The Leather Garment
- The Giant Crab
- Mahilaimukha Elephant
- The Story of Vinilaka
Buddhist Classics
- The Sacrifice of Vessantara
- The Wisdom of Vidhura Pandita
- Chullabodhi – The Conqueror of Anger
- The Story of Kushinagar
- The Virtue of Forbearance
- Matanga – The World’s First Crusader of Untouchability
- The Temptation of Isisanga
- The Flight of Sakka
- Mahajanaka’s Renunciation
- The Wine-Jar
- The Sacrifice of Sivi
- The Box of the Monster
- The Lotus Stalk
- Kandari – The Handsome Prince
- Ghat: The Virtuous King
- Supparaka – The Ancient Mariner
- Sankhapala: The Naga King
- Champeyya
- The Baveru Island
- The Great Gambler
- The Story of The Dumb Prince
- The Naive House-Holder
- The Jewelled Serpent
- The Mango-Thief
- The Foot-Print Reader
- The Story of Sutasoma
- The Story of Sudasa
- The Little Bowman
- The Envoy of Belly
- Story of a Drummer
- The King, Who Knew The Language Of Animals
- The Happy Man
- Sama: The Good Son
Life and Legends of Buddha
- Gotama Buddha
- Birth Story of Gotama
- Maha Maya’s Dream
- Sage Asita’s Visit
- The Four Sights
- Story of Renunciation
- The Buddha’s Victory over Mara
- The Personality of the Buddha
- Nalgiri Elephant
- Story of Kumara Kassapa
- Dhamma-Chakka-Pavattana-Katha
- The Buddha’s Teaching of Abhidhamma
- Buddha's Visit to Rahula Mata
- The Savatthi Miracles
- The Flying Buddha
- Story of Parinibbana
- Suddhodana
- Sujata
- Sariputta
- Moggallana
- Story of Mara
- Bimbisara
- Nanda
- Janapada Kalyani Nanda
- The Spiritual Journey of Janapada Kalyani
- Phussa Buddha
- Vipassi Buddha
- Sikhi Buddha
- Vessabhu Buddha
- Kakusandha Buddha
- Konagamana Buddha
- Kassapa Buddha
- Metteya
The Illustrated Jataka & Other Stories of the Buddha by C. B. Varma Introduction | Glossary | Bibliography
066 – The Envoy of Belly
Once, the prince of Varanasi went to Taxila for his education and training. Upon his return his father died and he succeeded him as the king on the throne of Varanasi. As he was a dainty eater people called him ‘King Dainty’. Further, he was so extravagant in eating that he spent one hundred thousand pieces on one dish. He also had the habit to invite the people and made them watch what he ate. For this he had a pavilion built in front of his palace door and in its the middle he got one golden dais constructed, where he sat and ate. Thus, when he ate, the people could watch him. One day, when he was sitting and eating in front of the people, a man suddenly jumped on the dais and shouted, “I am an envoy! I am an envoy!!” As he introduced himself as an envoy, no body could dare to prevent him. The man then scooped at one of the dishes, much to offend the by standers. Considering his act to be rude, the soldiers drew out their sword to slay him. But the king refrained them and allowed the man to eat to his satisfaction. The man enjoyed all the sumptuous dishes. When the man finished his meals, the king himself offered him his drinking water and betel nut. Next, he asked him, whose envoy was he; and what message was he carrying.
The man said,
O king! I am the envoy and messenger of Belly
So, O lord of chariots don’t be angry
For the belly’s sake men go very far
Even approaching an enemy they find no bar.
The king was pleased with this reply. He admitted the veracity of the statement. Truly, the people are dictated for most of their actions by their bellies.
Satisfied with the answer the King gave him hundred cows in reward and retired to his chamber.
See Duta Jataka Jataka Pali No.260.