Once upon a time when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta became his family-priest.

In those days some fishermen had cast their net into the river. And a great big fish came along toying with his wife. She, scenting the net, swam ahead of him, made a circuit round it and escaped. But her husband, blinded by passion, sailed right into the meshes of the net. As soon as the fishermen felt him in their net, they caught it in and took the fish out and they did not kill him at once, but flung him alive on the sands. They said,“We’ll cook him for our meal.” and went to light a fire. The fish lamented, saying to himself, “It’s not the torture of the embers or the anguish of the spit or any other pain that grieves me; but only the distressing thought that my wife should be unhappy in the belief that I have gone off with another.”

And he continued:

Tis not the cold, the heat, or wounding net;

Tis but the fear my darling wife should think

Another’s love has lured her spouse away.

Just then the priest came to the riverside with his attendant slaves to bathe. Now he understood the language of all animals. Therefore, when he heard the fish’s lamentation, he thought to himself, “This fish is lamenting in passion. If he should die in this unhealthy state of mind, he cannot escape rebirth in hell. I will save him.” So he went to the fishermen and said, “My men, don’t you supply us with a fish every day for our curry?”

The fishermen said,“Please take away any fish you like.” The priest showed the male fish lamenting and they gave that fish.

Taking the fish in his two hands, the Bodhisatta seated on the bank and said, “Friend! if I had not seen you to-day, you would have met your death. Cease for the future to be the slave of passion.” And with this exhortation he threw the fish into the water, and went into the city.