THE LIFE OF THE BUDDHA: CHAPTER V – THE STORY OF THE SWAN
The Prince grew up to be a kind and gentle boy. One day He was walking in a grove when a swan that had been shot down fell near Him. The Prince picked up the swan, pulled out the arrow, and placed some soothing herbs on its wound. He then carried it back to the palace. His cousin, Devadatta, ran after Him to claim the bird, as it was he who had shot it down. Prince Siddhaartha refused to give Devadatta the bird.
Devadatta, angry at not getting the bird he had shot, complained to King Suddhodana. After listening to the young Princes, the King decided to have their dispute settled in court. At first the jury were angry that a children’s petty dispute should be brought to court. However, King Suddhodana insisted on their settling the dispute saying, “These are our future rulers. It is best that this should be settled in court.”
Devadatta gave his side of the story first, saying that he had shot down the bird, and that as such, the bird belonged to him. Prince Siddhaartha agreed that it was Devadatta who had shot down the bird, but said that it was He who had saved its life by applying soothing herbs. Prince Siddhaartha said, “If the bird had died, then it would have belonged to you. I saved its life by attending to it. Life belongs to the saviour of life, not to the destroyer.”
After listening to Prince Siddhaartha’s defence, the jury agreed with him that life belongs to its saviour, not to its destroyer. The bird was given to Prince Siddhaartha.
Source: Budsas.net
