THE WATER-GARDEN 263 
of his neck stood on end.’ Then Sumukha pleaded with 
him, urging the glory of merit he would reach through 
releasing Bodhisatta. And the fowler, adoring the self- 
denial of Sumukha, was melted to the depths of a heart 
that his harsh trade had never hardened. So he unbound 
the cord and released Our Lord Bodhisatta. And then 
in gratitude, both Sumukha and Bodhisatta offered 
themselves freely to the man, that he might win rich 
rewards by taking them, unbound, as a spectacle to 
Brahmadatta the King. So the fowler carried the two 
royal swans into the presence of the King, and before 
Brahmadatta the Holy One lifted up his voice for holiness, 
unfolding the Most Blessed Way; and the fowler bore 
witness that the ardour of Sumukha’s prayer for the 
release of Bodhisatta arose from pure readiness to lay 
down life for his master. And thus, after much profitable 
discourse, the King was filled with wonder and piety; 
he released the two royal swans, ‘who soared upwards 
through the clear autumn air, dark-blue as a polished 
sword-blade, and departed to their old waters, where a 
myriad swans received with clamours of joy the return 
of their Lord, with Sumukha close behind him as a 
shadow. But Bodhisatta, overflowing in compassion for 
his neighbour, returned again and again to the King, 
and opened to him the perfect path of wisdom and 
release from sorrow. And the King honoured the great 
swan respectfully, with bowed head and humility. 
Beautiful though we may build our ponds and keep 
them, I fear it is not likely we shall ever allure a Bod- 
hisatta. Nearest approach to a divine swan will be a 
very worldly heron, filled with belly-thoughts and murder, 
who will come to take toll of any little frogs and fishes 
that may be enjoying our waters. Nor are saintly herons, 
I believe, so common that the prayer of frog or fish may 
turn their hearts to kindness; therefore if you want to 
