Tibetan tales (derived from Indian sources)
by W. R. S. Ralston | 1906 | 134,175 words
This page related the story of “the wise and the foolish monkey chiefs” from those tibetan tales (derived from Indian sources) found in the Kah-gyur (Kangyur or Kanjur). This represents part of the sacred Tibetan canon of Buddhist literature. Many of such stories correspond to similar legends found in the West, or even those found in Polynesia.
Chapter 44 - The wise and the foolish Monkey chiefs
[Source: Kah-gyur, iv. f. 247.]
In long-past times there lived in a certain country two monkey chiefs, each ruling over a hand of five hundred monkeys. As one of them wandered about with his band he gradually came to a hill-village. A kimpāka tree grew there, the branches of which were bowed down to the ground by the fruit, so the monkeys said to the chief of their band: “O chief, as the tree is very rich in fruit, and the fruit weighs its branches down to the ground, let us after our fatigues enjoy the fruit.”
After looking at the tree, the chief of the band said in a verse: “Although the tree stands near the village, yet have the children not partaken of the fruit. From that it may be concluded that the fruit of this tree is not conducive to enjoyment.”
After he had thus spoken, they went away.
Following after him, the leader of the other band also gradually drew near to that village. And when the monkeys saw the kimpāka tree, they said to the leader of their band: “O leader, as there is fruit on this tree, and we are fatigued, we would like to enjoy the fruit and gain strength.”
He replied, “Good; do so.”
The monkeys partook of the fruit, and unfortunately suffered agonies in consequence.