Once upon a time, there was a king named Sama, the Black, reigning in Benares. In those days the Bodhisatta was one of a courtier’s family, and grew up to be the king’s temporal and spiritual adviser. Now the king had a royal horse named Pandava, and one Giridanta, a lame man was his trainer. The horse used to watch him as he tramped on and on in front, holding the halter; and knowing him to be his trainer, imitated him and limped too.

Somebody told the king how the horse was limping. The king sent surgeons. They examined the horse, but found him perfectly sound; and so accordingly made report. Then the king sent the Bodhisatta. The king said, “Go! Friend! and find out the reason.” He soon found out that the horse was lame because he went about with a lame trainer. So he told the king what it was. The Bodhisatta told, “It’s a case of bad company.”

The king asked, “Well! what’s to be done?”

The Bodhisatta replied, “Get a fit and proper groom, on whom you can depend, and the horse will be as good as ever.”

The king did so. The horse became as good as before. The king showed great honour to the Bodhisatta, being pleased that he knew even the ways of animals.