| The hawk said:
"O king Shibi! Why do you hide the dove from me?" Shibi answered: "Don't you see the poor bird is terribly afraid of you? You
will kill him.It is not the king's duty to protect those who seek shelter in him? The dove
fell in my lap. So it is my duty to save him form you!"
The hawk protested, saying: "Don't you know that it is
my nature to kill other birds and eat them? Is it not wrong of you to try to prevent me
form pursuing my natural dharma?"
Shibi replied: "I agree, O hawk.Remember -ing my dharma
also, can I give you any other kind of flesh, as a substitute for this dove? In fact, I
shall give you my entire kingdom, if you leave this dove alone!" |
