The Misguided Elephant: A Lesson on Influence

Once, in a prosperous kingdom, there lived a wise king who had a noble and gentle elephant. This elephant, unlike any other, had a heart of gold and never harmed anyone. He was a source of pride for the kingdom and lived peacefully, working hard for the king’s service. The elephant’s mahout (caretaker) had raised him with love, teaching him the value of kindness and duty.

One night, a group of thieves, wicked in their ways, gathered near the elephant’s stable. They spoke in hushed voices about their evil plans and crimes. The elephant, who was not very clever, overheard their words. Confused and naive, he mistakenly believed that the thieves were offering him wise counsel. He thought their dark talk was a lesson for him to change his ways.

The next day, when his mahout came to take care of him, the elephant, now misled by what he had heard, grabbed the man with his trunk and, in a frenzy, crushed him. Several other people approached the elephant, and tragically, the same fate befell them. The elephant, swayed by the thieves’ words, became a danger to everyone around him.

When the king learned of this, he was deeply troubled and immediately called upon his most trusted advisor, the Bodhisatta. The Bodhisatta examined the elephant carefully and noticed that he was not sick or hurt. Pondering the matter, the Bodhisatta realized that the elephant had been influenced by the wicked talk of the thieves. He went to the elephant’s stall and inquired about any unusual visitors. The elephant keepers informed him of the thieves’ nightly meetings, which confirmed the Bodhisatta’s suspicion.

To restore the elephant’s peaceful nature, the Bodhisatta sent wise sages and virtuous priests to sit near the elephant and speak only of goodness and virtue. The soothing words of these wise men gradually reached the elephant’s heart, and he began to regain his former gentle nature. Over time, the elephant was no longer a threat but became the noble creature he once was.

In a future life, the elephant was reborn as one of the Buddha’s disciples. He had once been persuaded by a friend to abandon his duties and indulge in fancy meals, led astray by the temptation of others. The Buddha, aware of his disciple’s nature, shared the tale of the misguided elephant, teaching that some souls are easily led astray by negative influences, but can be brought back to the path of virtue with guidance.

The king in this story was later reborn as Ananda, one of the Buddha’s top disciples, a man of great wisdom and insight.

Moral:
Beware of the company you keep, for the words and actions of others can shape your thoughts and behavior. Seek the company of those who lead you toward goodness and virtue.