I am not sure, Tobias.
Since that section is in the Tipitaka, there must have been a reason to include them.
However, SOME accounts that I have seen IN TRANSLATIONS (either in English or Sinhala) seem unreal.
– But I have not tried to look at the Pali version to confirm the translations.
– There is enough to read in the Tipitaka outside that section!
By the way, I have also not heard Waharaka Thero mention that section except in a couple of instances. It seems that he had also not allocated any significant time to that section.