The Mongoose and The Snake

Once on a time, when Brahmadatta was king of Benares,
the Bodhisatta was born in a certain village as one of a
brahmin family. When he came of age, he was educated
at Takkasila; then, renouncing the world he became a
recluse, cultivated the Faculties and the Attainments,
and dwelt in the region of Himalaya, living upon wild
roots and fruits which he picked up in his goings to and
fro.

At the end of his cloistered walk lived a Mongoose in
an ant-heap; and not far off, a Snake lived in a hollow
tree. These two, Snake and Mongoose, were perpetually
quarrelling. The Bodhisatta preached to them the misery
of quarrels and the blessing of cultivating friendship, and
reconciled the two together, saying, "You ought to cease
your quarrelling and live together at one."

When the Serpent was abroad, the Mongoose at the
end of the walk lay with his head out of the hole in his
ant-hill, and his mouth open, and thus fell asleep, heavily
drawing his breath in and out. The Bodhisatta saw him
sleeping there, and asking him, " Why, what are you afraid
of?" repeated the first stanza:

Creature 1 , your egg-born enemy a faithful friend is made:
Why sleep you there with teeth all bare ? of what are you afraid ?

" Father," said the Mongoose, " never despise a former
enemy, but always suspect him " : and he repeated the
second stanza:

Never despise an enemy nor ever trust a friend:

A fear that springs from uufeared things uproots and makes an end.

"Fear not," replied the Bodhisatta. "I have persuaded
the Snake to do you no harm; distrust him no more."
With this advice, he proceeded to cultivate the Four
Excellences, and became destined for Brahma's heaven.
And the others too passed away to fare hereafter ac-
cording to their deeds.