154 



CEYLON BRANCH 



the water of which became dried up in the hot weather. At 

 that time Bodisatwayo was a god who dwelt in a tree on the 

 border of a lake covered with the lotus. In consequence of 

 the heat there was very little water in the small lake, but a 

 great number of little fishes. This being observed by a crane, 

 he thought, I must devise some plan by which I ^may catch 

 these fishes and eat them. He accordingly went to the border 

 of the lake, and stood thoughtful, with his head hanging down 

 like a devout hermit. The little fishes noticing him, came 

 near and said, Sir, what are you meditating about as you 

 stand there. The crane said, I am thinking about you, Ah 

 Sir ! What are you thinking about us ? Why, he replied, 

 there is very little water in this lake, and you get but little 

 to eat : on account of this hot weather you little fishes suffer 

 great inconvenience. That was the subject of my meditation : 

 but if you will do what I advise, I will take you one by one 

 in my bill, and put you into a beautiful lake covered with the 

 five kinds of lotus. They replied Ah Sir ! this is the first lime 

 since the beginning of the Kalpa that a crane has ever thought 

 of the welfare of little fishes % you only intend to deceive usj 

 and to devour every one of us. The crane replied, do not 

 think so ; but if you doubt my word, let one of your number 

 go and examine the place and report to you. The little fishes 

 then thought, this crane is a most righteous person, and ac- 

 cordingly deputed one of their body (a Kanapaddaka) to 

 visit the place. The crane accordingly took him in his bill to 

 the place, shewed him all the beauties of the lake, brought 

 him back and put him down among the fishes, upon which he 

 related in detail to the other fishes the excellencies of the 

 other lake ; upon which they said, Sir, take US' all to that lake. 

 The crane assented and in the first instance took the fish who 

 had been to see the lake, carried him to the bank, and then 



