A Collection of Buddhist Wisdom Verses - Ancient Buddhist Texts

9: Gratefulness
Jā 430 Cullasukajātakaṁ
Faithfulness in Friendship
Sakka, to try the contentment of a parrot, dries up
the tree he lives on, all the other birds desert it
but the parrot stays on. Sakka, taking the form of
a goose, engaged in this dialogue.
164. “Santi rukkhā haritapattā, dumā nekaphalā bahū,
Kasmā nu sukkhe koḷāpe suvassa nirato mano”
“There are many green trees,
Trees which have many fruits,
Why in this dry old tree
Does your mind find delight”
165. “Phalassa upabhuñjimhā nekavassagaṇe bahū,
Aphalam-pi viditvāna sāva metti yathā pure.”
“For many years the birds
Ate many of the fruits,
I know it is fruitless,
But still I love the tree.”
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