The Quail and the Greedy Crow

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as a quail. Nearby, there lived a greedy crow who was never satisfied with the food he found. He would scavenge animal carcasses, yet his hunger was never fully quenched. Unsatisfied with his usual diet, the crow ventured into the forest, hoping to find something better.

One day, while flying through the trees, the crow noticed the Bodhisatta, the quail, who seemed to thrive despite a meager diet. The quail lived on a simple fare of raw grass and seeds, yet he was plump and healthy, unlike the crow, who, despite feasting on richer food, appeared thin and weak.

Curious, the crow asked the Bodhisatta, “How is it that you, with such a simple diet, are so healthy and full of vitality, while I, who eat far richer food, am so weak and lean?”

The Bodhisatta smiled and replied, “I eat only what I need, and I do so with peace of mind. I do not worry about what I have or what I don’t have. I live without fear, and my heart is content.”

The crow, perplexed, responded, “But I am always fearful. I worry about predators, and I fear I will not find enough food. Perhaps that is why I am so thin.”

The Bodhisatta nodded gently, “Yes, that is the cause. You may feast on rich food, but worry and fear drain your strength. I am content with little, and my mind is free from anxiety. That is why I am healthy.”

The crow, understanding the wisdom of the quail, realized that true well-being comes not from abundance, but from inner peace and contentment.

The Moral:

True health and happiness come from a peaceful mind, not from material abundance. Worry, fear, and greed can weaken the spirit, while contentment and simplicity nourish the body and soul. It is better to live with a calm heart and appreciate what you have than to constantly chase after more, only to be consumed by anxiety and dissatisfaction.

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The crow in this story was a past incarnation of one of the Buddha’s disciples who struggled with greed. The Buddha told this story to remind his disciple that his greed was not a new trait, but something he had carried with him through many lifetimes. Just as the crow had learned to live in fear and never found peace, so too would the disciple find little satisfaction if he continued to indulge his desires without finding contentment. The Buddha encouraged him to focus on inner peace and self-