經律異相 11.36

11.36

In a past age, there was the city of Vārāṇasī. Beside the city was a pond named Yūcheng ('Rain-Formed'). In this pond were many fish, turtles, geese, and ducks. Among them was a goose king named Zhiguo ('Ruler of the Realm'), who was lord over five hundred geese. At that time a hunter set a hair snare in advance. The goose king walked ahead, and its right foot caught in the snare. It thought: 'If I pull my foot out of this snare, the other geese will not dare to eat the grain.' When they had finished eating, it then revealed its foot. The flock of geese flew off; only one goose, named Soma, would not abandon the king and leave. The king said to the minister: 'I give you the post of king to walk ahead of the geese.' He replied, 'I cannot.' The king asked, 'Why?'