Gautama was born a prince, over 2500 years ago in Lumbini, in the northern part of India. He left the comfortable life of the palace, his young wife and infant son, to go in search of true knowledge. After years of wandering, austerities and meditation, he became Buddha ('the Enlightened One'). Buddha taught compassion, non-violence and the need for right conduct in life. His teachings spread far and wide even outside India, in China and Southeast Asia. The 'Jataka' (Birth-cycle) tales narrate the stories related to 'seekers of truth' - those who wish to follow the path of Buddha. Many of the 550 Jatakas that form the canon are about animals and humans. The stories were originally compiled in the Pali language.In one story of this collection, a young man takes the advise of another man to be enterprising. He starts a business by selling a dead mouse to a cat-owner. With the sale money he buys raw sugar which he then sells as sugar-water and so on till he becomes rich. He calls on his adviser to express his gratitude ... and wins his advisor's daughter as a bride. In another story, a water carrier earns just a coin more than usual. He hides it in the city-wall. When he returns in a hurry to retrieve his money, the king sees him. The King is curious about the poor man's secret. The man values his treasure so much that only the offer of half the kingdom stops him from running for his hidden 'treasure'. - from Amzon