Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born a pigeon. The people of Benares, as an act of goodness, used to hang up straw baskets in places of convenience for the shelter and comfort of the birds; and the cook of the Lord High Treasurer of Benares hung up one of these baskets in his kitchen. In this basket the Bodhisatta took up his abode, go out at daybreak in quest of food, and returning home in the evening; and so he lived his life.

But one day a crow, flying over the kitchen, snuffed up the goodly savour from the salt and fresh fish and meat there, and was filled with longing to taste it. Casting about how to have his will, he perched hard by, and at evening saw the Bodhisatta come home and go into the kitchen. Seeing this the crow thought, “I can manage it through the pigeon.”

So, next day at dawn, crow came and followed the Bodhisatta like his shadow. So the Bodhisatta asked, “Why do you follow me?”

The crow answered, “your way of catching food has won my admiration; and hence it is my wish to follow you.”

“But your kind of food and mine, is not the same,” said the Bodhisatta; The crow said, “When you eat your food, I will take mine.” “So be it, then,” said the Bodhisatta; “only you must be earnest.”

And the Bodhisatta ranged about pecking up grass seeds; while the crow went about turning over cowdung and picking out the insects underneath till he had got his fill. Then crow came back to the Bodhisatta and said, “My lord! you give too much time to eating; excess therein should be shunned.”

And when the Bodhisatta had fed and reached home again at evening, crow also entered into the kitchen.

“Why, our bird has brought another bird home with him;” exclaimed the cook, and hung up a second basket for the crow. And from that time onwards the two birds dwelt together in the kitchen.

One day the cook hung up fish in the kitchen. Filled with greedy longing at the sight, the crow made up his mind to stay at home next day and eat the fish.

The next day, when the Bodhisatta was starting in search of food, and cried, “Come along, friend crow,” the crow replied, “Go without me, my lord; for I have a pain in my stomach.” “Friend,” answered the Bodhisatta, “I never heard of crows having pains in their stomach before. You must be hankering after the fish in the kitchen here. Come now, man’s food will not agree with you. Do not give way like this, but come and seek your food with me.” “Indeed, I am sick,” said the crow. The Bodhisatta said, “Well, your own conduct will show. Do not fall a prey to greed, but stand steadfast.” And with these words, He flew to find his daily food.

The cook after cooking some other dishes, went outside the door to wipe the sweat from his brow. The crow decided to take a large piece of fish flew. On hearing the noise, he saw the crow and cried, “The crow wants to eat my master’s dinner. I have to work for my master, not for that rascal!” So, first shutting the door, he caught the crow and plucked every feather off his body. Then he made it into a pickle and flinged him back into his basket. And there the crow lay groaning, overcome by the agony of pain.

At evening the Bodhisatta came back, and saw the wretched plight of the crow. He exclaimed, “Ah! Greedy crow! You would not hear my words, and now your own greed has worked you woe.”

So he repeated:-

The headstrong man who, when exhorted, pays

No heed to friends who kindly counsel give,

Shall surely perish, like the greedy crow,

Who laughed to scorn the pigeon’s warning words.

Then, exclaiming “I too can no longer dwell here,” the Bodhisatta flew away. But the crow died then and there, and the cook flung him along with basket on the dust heap.