The Chameleon’s Pride: A Lesson in Humility

In a past life, the Bodhisatta served as an advisor to King Vedeha. One day, as they walked through the royal park, a chameleon lay down in front of the king. The Bodhisatta, noticing the creature’s actions, explained that the chameleon was paying its respects to the king. Pleased by this, King Vedeha ordered that the chameleon be fed meat every day, a gesture of royal kindness.

However, one holy day, when no killing was allowed, the man who delivered the meat could not purchase any. Instead, he drilled a hole in a half-anna coin and hung it around the chameleon’s neck, making it appear rich and proud. When the chameleon next saw the king, it no longer bowed, as it now considered itself of high status.

The king noticed the change in the chameleon’s behavior and turned to the Bodhisatta for an explanation. The Bodhisatta revealed that the chameleon, now adorned with a symbol of wealth, felt pride and no longer considered itself humble. The king summoned the man who delivered the meat, and the man confirmed the Bodhisatta’s explanation. Impressed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, the king rewarded him with the tax revenue from the four city gates.

Though angry at the chameleon’s arrogance, the king wanted to stop the daily gifts of meat. However, the Bodhisatta advised against breaking his promise, explaining that a king’s word should be kept, no matter the circumstances.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

Some of the Buddha’s disciples once discussed his supreme wisdom, marveling at how he had humbled and converted so many people, including brahmins, ascetics, thieves, and even gods. When the Buddha overheard them, he shared this story to show them that his wisdom had always been perfect, even in previous lives.

The chameleon in this story represented a being who, once given a little power or wealth, grew prideful and lost its sense of humility. The Bodhisatta’s wise response to the king’s dilemma showed his deep understanding of human nature and his ability to advise wisely, even in the face of small injustices.

Moral of the Story: Pride, born from external symbols of wealth or power, can cloud one’s humility and lead to a fall from grace. True wisdom lies in maintaining a humble heart and staying true to one’s promises, regardless of changes in status or fortune.