126. The Bodhisatta And His Correspondent

Once on a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was a very wealthy merchant in that city. And he had a border merchant as a correspondent, whom he had never seen. He showed kindness to them at the time of crisis.

When his caravan traveled East, it was attacked by thieves. They took everything leaving the wounded traders belonging to the Bodhisatta. When they reported the matter to the correspondent, he refused to help them.

Being told by his people what they had done, he said, “This trouble is the result of their ingratitude for kindness shown them.” And he went on to instruct the assembled crowd:-

The man ungrateful for a kindly deed,

Thenceforth shall find no helper in his need.

The Bodhisatta taught the truth. After a life spent in charity and other good works, he passed away to fare according to his deserts.

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