353. Tortoise And The Two Fishes
Once upon a time, during the reign of Brahmadatta, king of Benares, the Bodhisatta became a tree sprite on the bank of the Ganges. At the point where Ganges and Jumna meet, two fish met together, one from the Ganges and one from the Jumna. “I am beautiful!” said one, “No! I am beautiful!” said the other. The quarrel started. Not far from the Ganges they saw a Tortoise lying on the bank. The two fishes went to him and asked him to tell who is beautiful. The Tortoise answered, “The Ganges fish is beautiful, and the Jumna fish is beautiful; but I am more beautiful than you both.”
352. The Wise And The Fools
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was king in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born in the family of a Brahmin, whose fortune amounted to eighty crores. They named him Akitti. When the time came he was able to walk, a sister was born, and they gave her the name Yasavati. The Great Being proceeded to Benares, where he completed his education and then returned. After that his mother and father died. He had performed all that behaves for the spirits of the dead, and inspected his treasure. He thought, “This treasure gathered by so many is no more. I am not going to take this with me when I die.” So He called his sister and said, “Take charge of this treasure and I am going to become an ascetic.”
351. The Young Lion And The Jackal
Once upon a time, when Brahmadatta was reigning in Benares, the Bodhisatta was born as a young Lion, and was the king of many lions lived in a Silver Cave. Near by was a Jackal, living in another cave.
One day, after a shower of rain, all the Lions were together at the entrance of their leader’s cave, roaring loudly and gamboling about.
As they were thus roaring and playing, the Jackal too lifted up his voice. “Here’s this Jackal, giving tongue along with us!” said the Lions; they felt ashamed, and were silent.
When they all fell silent, the Bodhisatta’s cub asked him this question. “Father, all these Lions that were roaring and playing about have fallen silent on hearing the sound of a creature. What creature is it that betrays itself thus by its voice?”
At his son’s words the old Lion said:
“The Jackal, of all beasts most vile, It is he that makes that sound.
The Lions loathe his baseness, while they sit in silence round.”
350. The Virtuous Queen
Once upon a time, there reigned a king Suruci in Mithila. This king, having a son born to him, gave him the name of Suruci-Kumara, or Prince Splendid. When he grew up he determined to study at Takkasila; so there he went, and sat down in a hall at the city gate. Now the son of the king of Benares also, whose name was Prince Brahmadatta, went to the same place, and took his seat on the same bench where Prince Suruci sat. They entered into converse together, and became friends, and went both together to the teacher. They paid the fee, and studied, and education was complete. Then they took leave of their teacher, and went on their road together.
