32. The Bodhisatta – And Sense-lacking Maid

Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born the son of the Lord High Treasurer, and came to be Lord High Treasurer himself at his father’s death. And he, had a maid servant whose name was Rohini. And her mother was pounding rice. The flies were encircling the flower and so she told Rohini to drive away the flies. Rohini took a pestle and try to hit the flies. In the process she hit her mother and killed her, and began to weep.

Hearing of what had happened, the Bodhisatta said: ‘Here, in this world, even an enemy, with sense, would be preferable.

Sense – lacking friends are worse than foes with sense.

In these lines in praise of the wise, did the Bodhisatta preach the Truth.

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