Kaka-Jataka
“Our old friend,” etc.—The Master told this tale while dwelling in Jetavana, concerning a greedy Brother. The occasion is as above. Benares merchant. A crow became intimate with him and lived there also. Here the story is to be expanded. The cook pulled out the crow’s feathers and sprinkled him with flour, then piercing a cowrie he hung it on the crow’s neck and threw him into a basket. The Bodhisatta came from the wood, and seeing him made a jest and spoke the first stanza:—Our old friend! look at him! A jewel bright he wears; His beard in gallant trim, How gay our friend appears! The crow hearing him spoke the second stanza:—My nails and hair had grown so fast, They hampered me in all I did: A barber came along at last, And of superfluous hair I’m rid. Then the Bodhisatta spoke the third stanza:—Granted you got a barber then, Who has cropped your hair so well: Round your neck, will you explain, What’s that tinkling like a bell? Then the crow uttered two stanzas:—Men of fashion wear a gem Round the neck: it’s often done: I am imitating them: Don’t suppose it’s just for fun. If you're really envious Of my beard that’s trimmed so true: I can get you barbered thus; You may have the jewel too. The Bodhisatta hearing him spoke the sixth stanza:—Nay,’tis you they best become, Gem and beard that’s trimmed so true. I find your presence troublesome: I go with a good-day to you. With these words he flew up and went elsewhere; and the crow died then and there. After the lesson, the Master declared the Truths and identified the Birth:—After the Truths, the greedy Brother was established in the fruition of the Third Path: “At that time the crow was the greedy Brother, the pigeon was myself.”