Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was a rich Treasurer, and they had a son. And the same day a female slave in his house gave birth to a boy, and the two children grew up together. And when the rich man’s son was being taught to write, the young slave used to go with his young master’s tablets and so learned at the same time to write himself. Next he learned two or three handicrafts, and grew up to be a fair spoken and handsome young man; and his name was Katahaka. Being employed as private secretary, he thought to himself, “I shall not stick on to this work. If a slightest fault happens, and I will be beaten, imprisoned, branded. On the border, there lives a merchant who is a friend of my master. I must go to him with a letter purporting to come from my master which identifies me as his son. I will marry the merchant’s daughter and live happily ever afterwards.”

So he wrote a letter, saying, “The bearer of this letter is my son. I will be pleased if you could give your daughter in marriage to my son. For the time being, You keep them happy and let them live there itself. As early as possible, I will take them back.” Katahaka sealed that letter with his master’s private seal, and came to the border merchant’s house. He was well dressed with all decorations to impress the merchant as Treasurer’s son. And with a bow he stood before the merchant. “Where do you come from?” said the merchant. “From Benares.”

“Who is your father?” “The Treasurer of Benares.”

“And what brings you here?”

“This letter will tell you,” said Katahaka, handing it to him. The merchant read the letter. With great joy, he arranged the marriage of his daughter with Katahaka. He set up the couple in his house and they lived happily.

But Katahaka used to find fault with the victuals and the clothes that were brought to him, calling them “provincial.” He would say, “These misguided provincials have no idea of dressing. And as for taste in scents and garlands, they have got none.”

Missing his slave, the Bodhisatta said, “I don’t see Katahaka. Where has he gone? Find him.” And the Bodhisatta’s men searched him, they found him. Then they went and informed the whereabouts of Katahaka.

The Bodhisatta on hearing the news said, “I will go and bring him back.” So he asked the King’s permission, and went to the border with a great following. And the news spread everywhere that the Treasurer is proceeding towards the borders.

Hearing the news Katahaka was thinking of his course of action. He knew that, the Treasurer is coming to catch him. To run away now will destroy all the chances of returning. So he decided to meet the Treasurer, and convince him that he is still a slave towards him as in the old days. Acting on this plan, he made a point of proclaiming in public, how to show respect towards parents. He had said to his father in law shortly before the arrival of the Bodhisatta, “I hear that my father is coming to see you. You had better make ready to entertain him, while I will go and meet him on the road with a present.” “Do so, my dear boy,” said his father in law.

So Katahaka took a magnificent present and went out with a large retinue to meet the Bodhisatta. He gave the present to the Bodhisatta with a low obeisance. The Bodhisatta took the present in a kindly way. When the Bodhisatta was going to attend natur’s call, stopping his attendants, Katahaka took water and approached the Bodhisatta. Then the young man fell at the Bodhisatta’s feet and cried, “Oh! Sir! I will pay any sum you may require but do not expose me.”

Pleased at his dutiful conduct, “Fear no exposure at my hands,” said the Bodhisatta and entered into the city.

The border merchant said to the Bodhisatta, “My Lord! upon receipt of your letter I duly gave my daughter in marriage to your son.” And the Treasurer made a suitable reply about ‘his son’ in so kindly a way that the merchant was delighted. But from that time onwards, the Bodhisatta could not bear the sight of Katahaka.

One day the Bodhisatta sent for the merchant’s daughter and said, “My dear, please look over my head.” She did so, and he thanked her for her much needed services, adding, “And now tell me! my dear! whether my son is a reasonable man, and whether you manage to get on well with him.”

“My husband has only one fault. He will find fault with his food.”

“He has always had his faults, my dear! but I will tell you how to stop his tongue. I will tell you a text which you must learn carefully and repeat to your husband when he finds fault again with his food.” And he taught her the lines and shortly afterwards went to Benares.

Katahaka accompanied him part of the way, and took his leave after offering most valuable presents to the Treasurer. Dating from the departure of the Bodhisatta, Katahaka waxed prouder and prouder. One day his wife ordered a nice dinner, and began to help him to it with a spoon, but at the first mouthful Katahaka began to grumble. Then the merchant’s daughter said:-

If he mid strangers far from home talks big

Back comes his visitor to spoil it all.

Come, eat your dinner then, Katahaka.

Katahaka thought, “the Treasurer must have informed her of my name, and have told her the whole story.” And from that day onwards, he humbly ate what was given to him, and at his death passed away to fare according to his deserts.