The Pet Elephant

Once upon a time, while Brahmadatta was king of
Benares, the Bodhisatta was born of a brahmin family.
On growing up he left his worldly home and took to the
religious life, and in time became the leader of a company
of five hundred anchorites, who all lived together in the
region of Himalaya.

Amongst these anchorites was a headstrong and un-
teachable person named Indasamanagotta. He had a
pet elephant. The Bodhisatta sent for him when he found
this out, and asked if he really did keep a young elephant ?
Yes, the man said, he had an elephant which had lost its
dam. " Well," the Bodhisatta said, " when elephants grow
up they kill even those who foster them ; so you had
better not keep it any longer. 1 ' " But I can't live without
him, my Teacher!" was the reply. "Oh, well," said the
Bodhisatta, "you'll live to repent it."

Howbeit he still reared the creature, and by and by
it grew to an immense size.

It happened once that the anchorites had all gone far
afield to gather roots and fruits in the forest, and they
were absent for several days. At the first breath of the
south wind this elephant fell in a frenzy. "Destruction
to this hut ! " thought he, " I'll smash the water- jar ! I'll
overturn the stone bench ! I'll tear up the pallet ! I'll kill
the hermit, and then off I'll go ! " So he sped into the
jungle, and waited watching for their return.

His master came first, laden with food for his pet. As
soon as he saw him, he hastened up, thinking all was well 1 .
Out rushed the elephant from the thicket, and seizing
him in his trunk, dashed him to the ground, then with a
blow on the head crushed the life out of him ; and madly
trumpeting, he scampered into the forest.

The other anchorites brought this news to the Bod-
hisatta. Said he, " We should have no dealings with the
bad " ; and then he repeated these two verses :

Friendship with evil let the good eschew,
The good, who know what duty bids them do:
They will work mischief, l)e it soon or late,
Even as the elephant his master slew.

But if a kindred spirit thou shalt see,
In virtue, wisdom, learning like to thee,

Choose such an one to be thy own true friend;
Good friends and blessing go in company.

In this way the Bodhisatta shewed his band of anchorites
that it is well to be docile and not obstinate. Then he
performed Indasamanagotta's obsequies, and cultivating
the Excellences, came at last into Brahma's heaven.