Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/376

260 the Bodisat, saying, "Do you go, Paṇḍit, and find out what's the reason of his having become a Rogue!"

The Bodisat went there, and finding he had no bodily ailment, thought over what the reason could be; and came to the conclusion that he must have become a Rogue after overhearing some conversation or other, and thinking it was meant as a lesson for him. So he asked the elephant keepers, "Has there been any talking going on at night time, near the stable?"

"O yes, sir! Some thieves used to come and talk together," was the reply.

The Bodisat went away, and told the king, "There is nothing bodily the matter with the elephant, your Majesty; it is simply from hearing robbers talk that he has become a Rogue."

"Well; what ought we to do now?"

"Let holy devotees, venerable by the saintliness of their lives, be seated in the elephant stable and talk of righteousness."