In long-past times there lived in a certain country two monkey chiefs,
each ruling over a band of five hundred monkeys. As one of them
wandered about with his band he gradually came to a hill-village. A
kimpāka tree grew there, the branches of which were bowed down to the
ground by the fruit, so the monkeys said to the chief of their band: “O
chief, as the tree is very rich in fruit, and the fruit weighs its
branches down to the ground, let us after our fatigues enjoy the
fruit.”
After looking at the tree, the chief of the band said in a verse:
“Although the tree stands near the village, yet have the children not
partaken of the fruit. From that it may be concluded that the fruit of
this tree is not conducive to enjoyment.”
After he had thus spoken, they went away.
Following after him, the leader of the other band also gradually drew
near to that village. And when the monkeys saw the kimpāka tree, they
said to the leader of their band: “O leader, as there is fruit on this
tree, and we are fatigued, we would like to enjoy the fruit and gain
strength.”
He replied, “Good; do so.”
The monkeys partook of the fruit, and unfortunately suffered agonies in
consequence.