法苑珠林 51.30

51.30

At that time, that crow took the food and brought it to the crow king. Having received it, the crow king then brought it to his wife. Having received it, his wife immediately ate her fill, her body became tranquil, and thus she gave birth. At that time, that crow went several times each day, snatched the food, and brought it to the crow king. King Brahmadatta frequently saw this happen and thought: 'How extraordinary and bizarre! Why does this crow constantly come to defile my food and scratch my women with its beak and claws?' The king, unable to tolerate this matter, immediately issued an order to summon the fowlers and hunters, telling them: 'Go quickly to the crow's location and capture it alive to bring back.' Having heard the king's order, the hunters addressed the king, saying: 'As the king commands, we dare not disobey the order.' The hunters went, captured this crow with a net, caught it alive, and brought it to hand over to King Brahmadatta. King Brahmadatta then spoke to the crow, saying: 'Why have you recently defiled my food multiple times and injured my women with your beak and claws?' At that time, the crow said to King Brahmadatta: 'O great king, listen to me explain this matter to the king so as to cause the king joy.' Then King Brahmadatta felt joy in his heart and thought: 'This is a rare thing! How can this crow speak human speech?' Having had this thought, he addressed the crow, saying: 'Excellent, excellent! You must explain the intention of this matter to me so that I will rejoice.' At that time, the crow then spoke in verse to King Brahmadatta, saying: