The Antelope’s Lesson: Dangers of Desire

In a time long ago, in a kingdom ruled by the wise Bodhisatta, there lived a wild antelope who wandered into the royal park. Intrigued by the creature’s beauty, the king ordered his gardener to capture it. The gardener devised a clever plan: he scattered honey on patches of grass, knowing that the antelope, drawn to its sweet scent, would return for more. At first, the antelope, cautious and shy, kept its distance, but as days passed and the honey remained, its curiosity grew. Soon, it began to graze on the honeyed grass, and the gardener, ever so patient, began moving closer.

The antelope, now growing bolder, allowed the gardener to approach, until one day it ate from his very hand. The gardener, seeing an opportunity, hung a gourd filled with honey from his shoulder, tucked a bundle of grass into his cloth, and walked slowly away, dropping honeyed grass along the path. The antelope, lost in thoughts of its favorite treat, followed him eagerly, unaware of the trap being set. As the antelope ventured into the palace, the gardener swiftly closed the door behind it, trapping the creature within.

Disturbed by the sounds of the frightened antelope, the Bodhisatta came to see what had happened. Upon hearing the creature’s distress, he spoke wisely to his companions, “Indeed, there is nothing more dangerous than the lust for taste. It binds us, leading us into traps of our own making.” With compassion, the Bodhisatta freed the antelope, teaching all who witnessed the event a valuable lesson about the dangers of uncontrolled desire.

Moral:
The desires of the senses, though sweet at first, can lead to ensnarement and suffering. True freedom lies in mastering one’s cravings.