The Wise Stag

Once, the Bodhisattva was the wise leader of a herd of stags. He had a nephew named Rahula, who was put under his care to learn the tricks of survival in the forest. Rahula was very obedient and followed his uncle’s instructions. One day, while the other deer were grazing in the forest, Rahula felt thirsty and headed towards the lake which was a little distance away, unaware of a hunter’s trap laid on the way. “Help! Help!” shouted Rahula, as he got trapped, but there was no one in sight. Rahula remembered the instructions given by his uncle. “Lt me feign death, for a hunter never takes away a dead animal,” thought Rahula and lay still, holding his breath. The hunter returned and when he saw Rahula, he mistook him to be dead and went away without him.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!