Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares, the Bodhisatta was born into a Brahmin family in Kasi village. When he grew of age, married and settled down. Now in those days there was a deep well by the highway in Kasi, which had no way down to it. The people who passed by that way, to win merit, used to draw water by a long rope and a bucket, and fill a trough for the animals; thus they gave the animals water to drink. All around lay a mighty forest, wherein troops of monkeys dwelt.

It happened by a chance that for two or three days the supply of water ceased which wayfarers used to draw; and the creatures could get nothing to drink. A Monkey, tormented with thirst, walked up and down by the well looking for water.

Now the Bodhisatta came that way drew water for himself, drank it, and washed his hands; then he noticed the Monkey. Seeing how thirsty he was, the he drew water from the well and filled the trough for him. Then he sat down under a tree, to see what the creature would do.

After drinking, the Monkey came and sat down near the Bodhisatta, and pulled a monkey grimace, to frighten him. The Bodhisatta told, “Ah, you bad monkey! when you were thirsty I gave you plenty of water; and now you make monkey faces at me. Well! Well! help a rascal and you waste your pains.”

Then the monkey replied, “I suppose you think that’s all I can do. Now I’ll drop something on your head before I go.”

As soon as he heard this the Bodhisatta got up to go. But at the very instant this Monkey from the branch where he sat dropped it like a festoon upon his head and then ran into the forest shrieking. The Bodhisatta washed, and went his way.