The Lotus Sutra

124 t he su t r a of t he lotus flower of t he wonderful dh ar m a
“I have made these carriages
Especially for you.
You can play with any of them
In whatever way you like.”
When the children heard him tell about the carriages,
They immediately raced each other,
Dashing out of the house to reach the open yard,
Away from the painful troubles.
Seeing his children escape from the burning house
And alive in the square,
The elder sat on a lion seat
And congratulated himself, saying:
“Now I am happy.
These children were difficult to raise.
Ignorant, young, and foolish,
They went into this dangerous house.
“Though it was full of poisonous creatures and fearful goblins,
With the raging flames of a terrible fire
Breaking out all around them,
These children stuck to their play.
“Now I have rescued them
And enabled them to escape from harm.
This is the reason, good people,
That I am now happy.”
Then the children, seeing their father sitting relaxed,
Came to him and said:
“Please give us the three kinds of treasured carriages
You promised earlier by telling us:
“‘If you children come out,
I will give you three carriages