法苑珠林 27.40

27.40

又智度論云。昔野火燒林。林中有一雉。勤身自力飛來入水。以水灑林。往返疲乏不以為苦。時天帝釋來問之言。汝作何等。答曰。我救此林。愍眾生故。此林蔭育處居日久。清涼快樂。我諸種類及諸宗親。皆悉依仰。我有身力。云何不救。天帝問言。汝乃精勤當至幾時。雉言。以死為期。天帝言。誰為汝證。即自立誓。我心至誠信不虛者。願火即自滅。是時淨居天知雉弘誓。即為滅火。始終常茂不為火燒（故經云人有善願天必從之斯言驗矣）。

Also, the Mahāprajñāpāramitā-śāstra says: Long ago, a wildfire burned a forest. In the forest there was a pheasant that exerted its physical strength, flew into the water, and sprinkled water on the forest, flying back and forth to exhaustion without considering it suffering. At that time, Śakra, Lord of the Gods, came and asked it, 'What are you doing?' It replied, 'I am saving this forest out of pity for sentient beings. This forest has sheltered and sustained us; we have dwelt here long, cool, fresh, and happy. My species and all my kinsfolk rely on it. I have physical strength; why should I not save it?' The Lord of the Gods asked, 'You are so diligent; how long will you keep this up?' The pheasant said, 'Taking death as the limit.' The Lord of the Gods said, 'Who will bear witness for you?' It immediately made a vow: 'If my mind is earnest and my sincerity is not false, may the fire extinguish itself!' At that time, the Śuddhāvāsa devas, knowing the pheasant's great vow, immediately extinguished the fire on its behalf. From beginning to end, the forest remained flourishing and was not burned by fire. (Therefore, the sūtra says that if a person makes a good vow, Heaven will certainly comply with it; these words are truly verified.)