Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta came into the world as a young parrot. His name was Radha, and his youngest brother was named Potthapada. While they were yet quite young, both of them were caught by a fowler and handed over to a Brahmin in Benares. The brahmin cared for them as if they were his children. But the brahmin’s wife was a wicked woman; there was nobody to watch her.

The husband had to go away on business, and addressed his young parrots thus. “Little dears, I am going away on business. Keep watch on your mother in season and out of season; observe whether or not any man visits her.” So he went, leaving his wife in charge of the young parrots.

As soon as he was gone, the woman began to do wrong; night and day the visitors came and there was no end to them. Potthapada, observing this, said to Radha “Our master gave this woman into our charge, and here she is doing wickedness. I will speak to her.”

“Don’t”, said Radha. But the other would not listen. He said, “Mother! why do you commit sin?”

She was longing to kill him.

She said, “Little one! you are my son! I will never do it again!” So he came out; then she seized him crying, “What! You preach me! You don’t know your measure!” and she wrung his neck, and threw him into the oven.

The Brahmin returned. When he had rested, he asked the Bodhisatta; “Well! my dear! Does your mother do wrong, or no?” and as he asked the question.

Radha answered, “Dear Father!, the wise speak not of things which do not conduce to blessing, whether they have happened or not. For what he said, he lies dead, burnt. It is not good thing to tell the truth.” Thus the Bodhisatta said and he went on “This is no place for me to live in either.” Then bidding the Brahmin farewell, he flew away to the woods.