The Elephant and the Dog: A Tale of True Friendship

Once, in a kingdom filled with peace and prosperity, there was a wise king who had many beloved animals. Among them was a majestic elephant who was unlike any other. This elephant had a special bond with the mahout’s dog, a small and playful creature. The two companions were inseparable. They shared their meals and spent their days together, with the dog even swinging on the elephant’s trunk, much to the amusement of the palace staff. Their friendship was the talk of the kingdom, and their loyalty to one another was evident to all.

One day, a villager passed through the kingdom and, seeing the dog, decided to buy it. He took the dog away, leaving the elephant heartbroken. The elephant could not understand why its dear friend had disappeared. From that day on, it refused to eat, drink, or bathe. The elephant’s sadness was so overwhelming that it began to wither away before the king’s eyes.

The king, concerned for the well-being of his elephant, sent his trusted advisor, the Bodhisatta, to investigate the cause of the elephant’s unusual behavior. Upon examining the elephant, the Bodhisatta found no physical ailment. After deep contemplation, he concluded that the elephant was grieving the loss of its friend, the dog.

The Bodhisatta inquired with the mahout about the elephant’s friends, and the mahout mentioned the dog that had been sold but could not recall where the buyer lived. The Bodhisatta then advised the king to issue a royal proclamation, stating that anyone in possession of the dog would face punishment. When the new owner of the dog heard of this decree, he had no choice but to release the animal.

As soon as the dog was set free, it eagerly ran back to the palace, just as the Bodhisatta had predicted. When the elephant saw its long-lost friend, it was overjoyed. It cried tears of happiness and gently placed the dog upon its head, as if honoring their friendship. Together, they ate a meal, their bond restored.

In the lifetime of the Buddha, the elephant and the dog were reborn as two close friends. One was a disciple of the Buddha, living in the monastery, while the other was a lay follower. Their bond was so strong that they spent all their time together, much like the elephant and the dog from their past lives. When the Buddha heard others speak of their friendship, he shared the story to show that these two had been best friends in a past life, reminding his disciples of the strength of true friendship.

Moral:
True friendship knows no bounds, and the bond between friends can transcend lifetimes. Cherish your friends, for they are a source of comfort and joy in both good times and bad.