Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born as the son of one of his courtiers, and became the king’s adviser in all things both temporal and spiritual. Word came to the king of a revolt on the frontier. He went there with his army, stopped the revolt, and after which he returned to Benares.

When he came home, he gave order, “As the horses are tired, let them have some juicy food, some grape juice to drink.” The horses took this drink, then retired to their stables and stood quietly each in his stall.

After all the horses drank, a lot more is remaining. The horse keepers asked the king what to do with that. The king ordered, “Mix it up with water and give it to the donkeys.” The donkeys drank up this wretched stuff. It maddened them, and they galloped about the palace yard braying loudly.

From an open window the king saw the Bodhisatta, and called out to him. “Look there! How mad these donkeys are after drinking that drink! How they bray, how they caper! But those fine horses that drank the strong liquor, they make no noise; they are perfectly quiet. What is the meaning of this?”

And the Bodhisatta explained the matter in the second stanza.

“The low born churl, though he but taste and try,

Is frolicsome and drunken by and by

He that is gentle keeps a steady brain

Even if he drain most potent liquor dry.”

When the king had listened to the Bodhisatta’s answer, he had the donkeys driven out of his courtyard. Then, abiding by the Bodhisatta’s advice, he gave alms and did good until he passed away to fare according to his deserts.