Page:Buddhist Birth Stories, or, Jātaka Tales.djvu/394

 CHAPTER IV. KULĀVAKAVAGGA.

No. 31.

KULĀVAKA JĀTAKA.

On Mercy to Animals.

"Let the Nestlings in the wood." — This the Master told while at Jetavana, about a monk who drank water without straining it.

Two young monks who were friends, it is said, went into the country from Sāvatthi; and after stopping as long as it suited them in a certain pleasant spot, set out again towards Jetavana, with the intention of joining the Supreme Buddha.

One of them had a strainer, the other had not; so they used to strain water enough at one time for both to drink.

One day they had a dispute; and the owner of the strainer would not lend it to the other, but strained water himself, and drank it. When the other could not get the strainer, and was unable to bear up any longer against his thirst, he drank without straining. And in due course they both arrived at Jetavana; and after saluting the Teacher, took their seats.

The Teacher bade them welcome, saying, "Where are you come from?"