More than two thousand years ago, in a far-off country, a prince was
born. While he was yet a child every care was taken that he should be
made happy, and sights of sorrow were carefully kept from him. He was
of a very kind, loving, and tender disposition.
But the care even of a king for a prince could not keep away all
sorrowful sights. His watchful eyes sometimes saw suffering that
filled his heart with pity.
As he was playing with his cousin in the palace ground, a flock of
wild swans flew over their heads. His cousin drew his bow and wounded
one. It fell at his feet. The prince with pity drew the arrow from the
wounded bird, nursed it, and saved its life.
While his child life was one of tenderness and mercy, the years passed
by and he became a man. His heart was still filled with pity for every
suffering creature. He went from the palace, from home and dear
friends, to become poor and a wanderer, that he might help the
suffering. It is beautifully told that in his wanderings he came upon
a flock of sheep driven along the dusty highway. There was one poor
wounded, bleeding lamb, which he took tenderly in his arms and
carried. And so through life his pity and his help were given to the
weak, whether men or beasts. From his tender and beautiful life, men
came to worship him after his death.
[Illustration: {THE PRINCE HELPS A WOUNDED SWAN.}]
The prince was Prince Gautama, of India, who is worshipped as Buddha.
Is not his loving and merciful life, from a little child to an old
man, a beautiful example to us?