A History of Indian Literature v2.c19.s3.t2.185

v2.c19.s3.t2.185

On the other hand, there is no chronological significance in the distinction between "stories of the present" and "stories of the past," for both are the work of one and the same commentator.¹ Very frequently, however, this commentator made use of good and old materials. It is for this reason that, especially in the prose of the shorter fables and fairy tales, we find very many stories excellently told, whilst in other Jātakas, especially in those which do not require prose, the prose narrative is extremely inferior and dull and frequently not at all in harmony with the Gāthās. It is not feasible to think that the same commentator on one occasion told his stories skilfully and humorously, and on another occasion in a dull and spiritless manner, but we must assume that, when he told them well, he used good old models or traditions. Therefore, in the prose, too, much that is old may have been preserved.