Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 2 1884.djvu/346

338 guised as a brahman. " O brahman, what are you standing there for ? " said the otter. " If I get any food now I mean to keep uposatha (to-morrow) and perform the duties of a sramana," replied the brahman. "Good!" said the other, "I'll give you food." While talking he gave utterance to the following gâtha : —

The brahman made answer, " It's early as yet, let it be for the present ; I'll see about it bye-and-bye."

Then the brahman made his way to the jackal, who said, " Why are you standing there ? " He gave the same reply as he did before to the otter.

The jackal said, " Good I I'll give you food." In the course of conversation with him he spake the following gâtha : —

The brahman said, " It's very early as yet, let it be for the present; by-and-bye I'll think about it."

Then he went and paid a visit to the monkey, who said, " Why are you standing there ? " The brahman made the same answer as before. "Good!" said the monkey, "I'll give you food." While talking with him he uttered the following gâtha : —

The brahman, making answer as before, went off to the retreat of the wise hare, who said, " Why are you standing there ? " He replied: "If I get any food now I'll observe uposatha (to-morrow) and keep the precepts."

On hearing this the Bodhisat was struck with grief (because he had nothing but grass to give him), and said, " brahman, you have