諸經要集 16.31

16.31

At that time, the garden owner had this thought: "How excellent is this turtle! It instructs me with good words; now I must take its words. I will wash its body, lest the mud soil my flower basket." Having had this thought, he took the turtle in hand and brought it toward the water, intending to wash the turtle's body. At that moment, the man lifted the turtle out and placed it on a rock, scooping water to wash it. At that moment, exerting great strength in its sinews, the turtle suddenly plunged and submerged into the water.
Seeing the turtle submerge in the water, the garland-maker said: "How extraordinary is this turtle! It was actually able to deceive me like this. Now I should in turn entice and deceive this turtle to make it come out of the water." At that time, the garland-maker spoke a verse to that turtle: