The Clever Son and the Bashful Father

In a time long ago, the Bodhisatta lived as a wise and trusted advisor to a king. Although he held a position of importance, the Bodhisatta’s family was poor, and they depended on him for support. One day, the father of the Bodhisatta came to him with a problem: one of their oxen had died, and they could no longer plow the fields. The father, burdened by this loss, asked the Bodhisatta to go to the king and request a new ox.

However, the Bodhisatta hesitated. He knew it would be inappropriate for him, a man of position, to ask the king for a personal favor. Instead, he suggested that his father should ask the king himself. But his father, though earnest in his need, was too shy to make the request. “I cannot speak clearly in front of so many people,” he said. “When there are more than three present, I get nervous.”

Understanding his father’s bashfulness, the Bodhisatta offered to help. He would teach his father the words to say, so he could confidently make his request. Together, they practiced in front of tufts of grass, which stood in for the king and his court. The Bodhisatta coached his father to say, “Long live the king! I used to have two oxen to plow my fields, but one has died. Can you please give me another?”

For an entire year, they practiced this line, and gradually the father became more comfortable speaking in front of others. Finally, after a year of training, the Bodhisatta believed his father was ready. They went to the king’s court together.

When it was his father’s turn to speak, the Bodhisatta’s father nervously approached the king. He began, “Long live the king! I used to have two oxen to plow my fields, but one has died. Can you please take the other?” The words were wrong, and the king immediately recognized the mistake. With a smile, the king jokingly responded, “Ah, I see you have plenty of oxen at home, then?”

The Bodhisatta, quick on his feet, replied, “If so, great king, then they are your gift!” The king, amused by the clever response, laughed and decided to reward the Bodhisatta’s father for his persistence and humor. He gave the father sixteen oxen and a village to live in.

Afterward, the Bodhisatta spoke to his father, saying, “Practice may be helpful, but it is pointless if one is not capable of learning.” His father, though, was undeterred. He smiled and responded, “Whenever someone asks for something, they take a risk. It’s always a gamble, no matter how much practice they have.”

In the Lifetime of the Buddha:

The Buddha later recounted this story to his disciples, explaining that the Bodhisatta’s father in this previous life was none other than Laludayi, one of his elder disciples. Laludayi was known for being bashful and often speaking in a way that was difficult to understand. His speech, at times, was unclear and awkward, much like the father’s struggle in making the request.

The Buddha shared this story to help his disciples understand that even Laludayi, despite his awkwardness and shyness, had once been similarly hesitant and unsure. It was a reminder to the followers that people change over time, and that even someone who seems ‘dim-witted’ in one lifetime may grow in wisdom and character in another.

Moral:

This story teaches us several lessons:

1. The Value of Patience and Practice: The Bodhisatta’s patient training of his father shows that with dedication and practice, even the most difficult tasks can be accomplished. However, it also highlights that not everyone learns in the same way or at the same pace.
2. The Importance of Clear Communication: While practice is useful, the story also underscores the importance of clear and accurate communication. It was the Bodhisatta’s quick wit and clever response that ultimately won the king’s favor, not the initial awkwardness of his father’s request.
3. Facing Fear and Overcoming Bashfulness: The father’s initial hesitation and bashfulness mirror the challenges many of us face when we have to speak or ask for help. The story teaches that overcoming shyness is essential, but it also shows that mistakes and misunderstandings are part of the process.
4. Risk and Reward in Asking: The father’s final words about the risk of asking for something reflect a profound truth: there is always some level of uncertainty in making a request, but without taking that risk, one may never receive what is needed. Whether we succeed or fail, the courage to ask is what often opens doors.

Ultimately, the story reminds us that while preparation is important, success often requires a combination of skill, timing, and the ability to adapt to unexpected situations. Sometimes, a clever response in the face of a mistake can turn a failure into an opportunity.