法苑珠林 46.33

46.33

又舊雜譬喻經云。昔有一鼈遭遇枯旱湖澤乾竭。不能自致有食之池。時有大鶴集住其邊。鼈從求哀乞相濟度。鶴啄銜之飛過都邑。鼈不默聲。問此何等如是不止。鶴便應之。口開鼈墮。人得屠食。夫人愚頑不謹口舌其譬如是。

Furthermore, the Old Samyuktāvadāna-sūtra says: In the past there was a turtle that encountered a drought; the lake dried up, and it was unable to reach a pool with food on its own. At that time, a great crane landed beside it. The turtle begged it for pity, asking to be saved and carried across. The crane took it up in its beak and flew over a town. The turtle would not remain silent; it continually asked, 'What is this? What is this?' The crane then answered it. When its beak opened, the turtle fell down, and people caught it, slaughtered it, and ate it. When people are foolish and dull and do not guard their tongues, it is just like this.