Once upon a time there was a king named Dalhadhamma reigning in Benares. At that time the Bodhisatta was born in a minister’s family, and when he grew up he served the king. He received much honor from the king, and stood in the place of the most valued minister. The king had a certain she-elephant, endowed with might and very strong. She went a hundred leagues in one day, she did the duties of messenger for the king, and in battle she fought and crushed the enemy. The king said, “She is very serviceable to me,” gave her all ornaments and caused all honour to be given her such as Udena gave to Bhaddavatila. Then when she was weak from age the king took away all her honor. From that time she was unprotected and lived by eating grass and leaves in the forest. Then one day when the vessels in the king’s court were not sufficient, the king sent for a potter, and said, “The vessels are not sufficient.” “O king, I have no oxen to yoke in carts to bring cow-dung (for baking clay).” The king hearing this tale said, “Where is our she-elephant?” “O king, she is wandering at her own will.” The king gave her to the potter, saying, “Use her and get cow-dung.” The potter did so. Then one day she, coming out of the city, saw the Bodhisatta coming in, and falling at his feet, she said, lamenting: “Lord! the king in my youth considered me very serviceable and gave me great honor; now that I am old, he has not thought of me; I am unprotected and live by eating grass and leaves in the forest; in this misery he has now given me to a potter to yoke in a cart; except you I have no refuge; you know my services to the king; restore me the honor I have lost.”

The Bodhisatta, hearing her tale, comforted her, saying, “I will tell the king and restore your honor;” so entering the city, he went to the king after his morning meal and took up the talk, saying, “Great king, did not a she-elephant, enter battles and did she not carry messages to places a hundred leagues away? You gave her great honor; where is she now?” “I gave her to a potter for carrying dung.” Then the Bodhisatta said, “Is it right, great king, for you to give her to a potter to be yoked in a cart?” And for admonition he spoke:–

By selfish hopes men regulate the honors that they pay:

As you the elephant, they throw the outworn slave away.

Good deeds and services received whenever men forget,

Ruin pursues the business still on which their hearts are set.

Good deeds and services received if men do not forget,

Success attends the business still on which their hearts are set.

To all the multitude around this blessed truth I tell:

Be grateful all, and for reward you long in heaven shall dwell.

With this beginning the Bodhisatta gave instruction to all gathered there. Hearing this the king gave the old elephant her former honor, and established in the Bodhisatta’s instruction gave alms and did works of merit and became destined for heaven.