Page:The Folk-Lore Journal Volume 3 1885.djvu/372

 364 FOLK-TALES OF INDIA.

The Macchuddana Jataka.* The punishment of Avarice.

Very long ago, when Brahmadatta reigned at Benares, the Bodhisat was reborn in a wealthy family, and when he arrived at years of discretion he accumulated wealth. He had, moreover, a younger brother. After a time their father died. One day they determined to settle their father's business-transactions and accounts, so they went to a certain village and returned with a thousand pence. While waiting for a boat they sat down on the river's bank, and partook of some boiled rice. The Bodhisat gave what rice was over to the fish in the Granges, and made over to the river-sprite the merit ( arising from this deed). The sprite was grateful for the merit he had thus gained, and by which also his power as a divinity was increased. On thinking over this increase of his supernatural power he became aware of the cause. The Bodhisat, moreover, having spread his upper garment on the sand, lay down upon it and fell asleep. Now his younger brother was somewhat given to dishonesty, and did not give up to the Bodhisat the moneys he had raised, for he was desirous of keeping them for himself ; so he made a bundle of potsherds just like the bundle of pence, and put, also, the two bundles side by side.

At last they got on board their vessel, and when they were come into the middle of the river the younger brother stumbled (as if by accident) against the side of the boat with the intention of throwing the bundle of potsherds into the water, but (by mistake) threw over- board the bundle of pence, exclaiming — " My dear brother, the bundle of money has fallen into the water! What shall we do?" "Well, what can we do," he replied, " if it has fallen into the water ? Don't grieve over it."

The river-sprite thought to himself^ — '' I am pleased with the merit made over to me by this person (the Bodhisat) whereby my super- natural power has been increased, so I'll e'en protect his property for him." By his supernatural power he caused a certain fish with a big mouth to swallow the bundle, and he himself kept watch over it.


 * Jataka Book, vol. ii. No. 288, p. 423.