大方便佛報恩經 4.36

4.36

"At that time, before Prince Kalyāṇamitra had entered the great ocean and while he was still in the palace, he had raised a white wild goose. Clothing, bedding, food, and drink, walking, standing, sitting, and lying down—they were always together. At that time, the queen mother went to where it was and said to the goose, 'When the prince was here, he was always together with you. Now he has entered the great ocean and has not returned; whether he is alive or dead cannot be known, and I am unable to obtain certain and true news. Why do you not now long for the prince?' When the goose heard these words, it cried out mournfully, tossing about, tears filling its eyes, and replied, 'Great Queen! If you wish me to search for the prince, I dare not disobey your command.' At that time, the queen wrote a letter with her own hand and tied it around the neck of the goose. Calling out, the goose asked where the prince was in the great ocean; its body soared into the sky, wheeling and soaring as it flew away. When the queen saw this, reliance arose in her heart: 'Now this goose will surely obtain certain and true news of whether my son is dead or alive.' Flying to the great ocean, it traversed it all around, searching for him without finding him. In turn, it reached the kingdom of Ṛṣivadana and saw Prince Kalyāṇamitra far off before the palace. The goose gathered its body, spread its wings, and flew toward him; having arrived, it cried mournfully with joy. The prince at once took his mother's letter, made reverent obeisance with the crown of his head, broke the seal, and opened it to read. He then knew that his father and mother were weeping day and night, longing for the prince, and that both their eyes had lost their sight.