The idea

of
morality
as it emerges in
'The Mouse Merchant'
and
Arabian Nights

SHORT STORIES FROM ARROUND THE WORLD CA2

 INTRODUCTION
Values shape moral behaviour in individuals. The cornerstone of a
person's capacity to distinguish between right and wrong is their
set of values. This is the foundation of morality, which develops
into precise, situational laws that direct behaviour. They are
shaped by a person's life experiences and open to interpretation.
While morals are often determined by individual ideas and ideals,
most individuals can agree on a few basic principles, such as not
lying, helping others, not being selfish, being compassionate, and
showing respect. However, the underlying lesson the author is
attempting to convey is the story's moral. Of fact, the two can
coincide, but they are distinct things.
 INTRODUCTION
In the stories we chose that is "The Mouse Merchant" (Jataka tales
and "The Three Apples" (Arabian Nights); The Jataka stories offer
fascinating insights into the civilization, culture, and philosophy of
ancient India and of its stories "The Mouse Merchant" is a story
about the battle between power and intelligence as well as a
lesson in humility and thankfulness. Whereas in "The Arabian
Nights", the best method for the weak to overcome the strong is
to amuse them by providing them with the social currency of a
good story and it teaches a valuable lesson which is to control
fervent desire for vengeance.
 individual's own
principles regarding
right and wrong
ethical and didactic
values
teachings of practical
matters
against these
standards may be
considered immoral.

What is
Morality ? standards or
principles derived
from a code of
conduct
synonymous with
"goodness" or
"rightness".
morality lie inside
human beings.
COMPARITIVE
ANALYSIS
In The Arabian Nights, faithfulness is one of the
most crucial moral ideas.
The mouse merchant teaches us how money was
handled in daily life in ancient and mediaeval Indian
civilization
The Arabian Nights examines many forms of loyalty,
aim of Jataka tales is to inculcate poignant
knowledge and morality.
The aim of Jataka tales is to inculcate poignant
knowledge and morality.
The mouse merchant revolves around the
central idea of smart and honest work to gain
wealth.

The Arabian nights stories, widely depict the

idea of destiny and human action.
the story of the three apples contains a secret
lesson to control his passion for vengeance.
Murder is an irreversible act, and before the
husband could even comprehend what had
happened, he had killed his beloved wife with
his own hands. The young husband uses his
tragedy to provide a valuable lesson to others:
impulsive decisions made out of rage tend to
result in regret.
The story also echoes the rather harsh
sentiments towards women that are present in
many other tales as well
The ‘mouse merchant’ is a short story taken from the 1st
volume of the Jataka tales. The Jataka tales are the a
piece of the sacred Buddhist canon of literature and is
considered to one of the oldest Buddhist writings.
The tales are based on the notion that the Buddha was
able to remember all of his previous lives, the Jataka
genre uses these memories to create stories and provide
illustrations for the Buddha's teachings.
The story mouse merchant especially illustrates the idea
and theme of Diligence and Gratitude
To conclude,

We realised how mouse merchant is beyond time and

space spatio temporal ideas whereas Arabian nights is a
continuity from a grand narrative .Basic idea of mouse
merchant is Gratitude and acceptance , where as arabian
nights deals with the idea of survival .
 References
The mouse merchant. Penguin Random House India. (2021, December 15).
https://penguin.co.in/book/the-mouse-merchant/
Examples of morals. Your dictionary. https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-
morals.html
Buddhist tales - jataka stories (volume 1). (n.d.). Retrieved October 5, 2022, from
http://www.buddhanet.net/bt1_conts.htm
Google. (n.d.). A summary and analysis of the tale of the Three apples. Google. Retrieved October 5,
2022, from https://www.google.com/amp/s/interestingliterature.com/2022/05/three-apples-
summary-analysis/amp/
Sarojadevi, K. (2022, January 24). Jataka Tales – The treasure house of knowledge and morality. Indus
Scrolls. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from https://indusscrolls.com/jataka-tales-the-treasure-house-of-
knowledge-and-morality
Smithian Sympathy in the Arabian Nights | Adam Smith Works. (n.d.-b). Retrieved October 5, 2022,
from https://www.adamsmithworks.org/documents/smithian-sympathy-in-the-arabian-nights
The Definition of Morality (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy). (2020, September 8). Retrieved
October 5, 2022, from https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/morality-definition/
what Does Morality Really Mean? (2022, August 24). Verywell Mind. Retrieved October 5, 2022, from
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-morality-5076160

 Thank
you!
RDDHIMA R 21060322119 I CHARMI SONI 21060322042 I AMRITA RATH 21060322017
SNEHA RATH 21060322153 I SNEHA SRIDHARAN 21060322154 I SNIGDHA 21060322040
ANAHITA DESHPANDE. 21060322185