The Bodhisatta as a Clever Crane

The Bodhisatta as a Clever Crane

In the tranquil waters of a vast and shimmering lake, surrounded by lush reeds and whispering bamboos, lived a Bodhisatta in the form of a crane named Vasala. Vasala was renowned not for his strength or his size, but for his sharp intellect and his ability to foresee danger. His long, slender neck allowed him to survey the surroundings with keen eyes, and his silent flight made him an unseen observer of the world. The lake was a haven of peace, its surface reflecting the azure sky, and the air alive with the gentle flapping of wings and the soft calls of waterfowl.

One day, two fishermen, their nets worn and their faces etched with hunger, arrived at the lake. They were desperate for a catch, their families relying on their success. They saw the abundance of fish in the lake and their eyes gleamed with avarice. "This lake is teeming with fish!" exclaimed one, his voice filled with excitement. "We will be rich!" The other nodded, "Yes, and we shall empty this lake of all its inhabitants." They began to cast their nets, their intentions clear: to catch every fish they could, without regard for the consequences.

Vasala, observing their actions from his perch among the reeds, understood the grave danger the fish were in. He knew that if these fishermen succeeded, the entire ecosystem of the lake would be destroyed, and many innocent lives would be lost. He felt a deep sense of responsibility to protect the creatures of the lake, his fellow inhabitants. The once peaceful waters now seemed to churn with the threat of depletion, the serene atmosphere marred by the fishermen's greed.

He knew he could not physically stop the fishermen, but he had a plan. He approached the fish, his voice a gentle, melodious sound that cut through the anxiety. "My friends," he said, his voice filled with urgency, "these men intend to empty our lake. We must find a way to escape." The fish, terrified by the fishermen's nets, looked to Vasala for guidance. A wise old carp, its scales shimmering, asked, "But Vasala, where can we go? This lake is our home." Vasala, with a thoughtful gaze, replied, "There is another lake, a hidden one, far from here, where the waters are deep and the fishermen's nets cannot reach."

The turning point came when Vasala decided to act as a decoy. He told the fish to follow him, promising to lead them to safety. He then began to fly, his movements deliberate and graceful, towards the direction of the hidden lake. The fishermen, seeing the crane fly away, assumed he was merely leaving the area and continued their relentless fishing. However, Vasala's flight was not one of escape, but of misdirection. He flew in a wide arc, deliberately making himself visible, leading the fishermen to believe he was heading towards a distant, barren land.

As Vasala continued his strategic flight, he subtly guided the school of fish, a shimmering mass of silver, through a submerged channel that led to the hidden lake. The fishermen, focused on their nets, didn't notice the subtle shift in the lake's currents or the diminishing number of fish. They continued to fish until their nets were nearly empty, their initial excitement turning to disappointment. "Where have all the fish gone?" one of them lamented, shaking his head. "It is as if they have vanished into thin air!"

Meanwhile, Vasala and the fish reached the hidden lake. The water was crystal clear, teeming with life, and the air was filled with a sense of peace and security. The fish, safe from the fishermen's greed, rejoiced. Vasala, their clever protector, watched them with satisfaction. He had used his intelligence and foresight to save an entire community. The fishermen, left with their meager catch, eventually departed, never realizing the miraculous escape they had inadvertently allowed.

The moral of this story is that intelligence and foresight are powerful tools that can be used to protect the innocent and overcome even the most selfish of intentions. True wisdom lies in understanding the consequences of actions and acting with compassion and cleverness.