Arrogance Can Kill

Once, the Bodhisattva was born in a family of merchants. One day in the marketplace he saw an arrogant ascetic clad in a leather garment. The man put up the bearing of a saint and asked every living creature to bow to him and show respect. After a while the Bodhisattva noticed that a ram was lowering his head in front of the ascetic. The ascetic took it to be an expression of his respect for him. But the Bodhisattva knew that the ram was getting ready to attack, as ascetic was wearing a leather garment, which the ram apparently did not like.

The Bodhisattva, who was witnessing the whole scene from a distance, tried to warn him. But before the ascetic could hear anything, the ram knocked him down. He lay groaning in pain and before long, breathed his last.

The author of this story is unknown and greatly appreciated!