The Tale of Cullahamsa, the Golden Goose

In the majestic peaks of the Himalayas, far from the bustling cities, lived a golden goose, the noble king of a vast flock of ninety-six thousand geese. This golden king, known as the Bodhisatta in his past life, ruled with wisdom and grace. His geese were loyal, and together they soared through the sky, finding food and shelter in the far reaches of the world.

One day, some of the younger geese returned from a distant lake and spoke excitedly of its abundance. “Oh, King, we have discovered a wondrous feeding ground, a vast lotus lake near a great city. The food there is plenty, and the water pure! Let us all go there and feast.”

The Bodhisatta, though wise, was cautious. “It is too dangerous,” he warned. “There are hunters in those lands. It would be reckless to fly there.”

But the young geese persisted, urging him with such enthusiasm that at last, the Bodhisatta relented. He agreed to lead the flock, but with a heavy heart, knowing the risks involved.

When they arrived at the lake, the geese eagerly landed and began to feast. But as the Bodhisatta touched the earth, disaster struck. His leg was caught in a hunter’s snare, a cruel noose that tightened with every movement. The pain was excruciating, but the Bodhisatta remained silent. He knew that if he cried out in distress, the rest of the flock would panic and fly away without eating. They would be too weak to make it back to the safety of the Himalayas.

The golden king endured the agony in silence, only crying out when all his geese had eaten their fill and were ready to depart. His loyal commander-in-chief, a goose of great strength and courage, was the first to notice the absence of the Bodhisatta. He flew back to the lake and found his king lying in the mud, his leg bloodied and trapped.

“I will not leave you, my king,” the commander-in-chief vowed. “Even if it costs me my life, I will stay with you.” But the Bodhisatta, knowing the danger, ordered his commander to flee and save himself. “Do not stay,” he said, “it is not worth your life.”

But the commander-in-chief would not be swayed. “I will not leave you, for I am bound by love and loyalty. If I must die to protect you, then I will do so willingly.”

The hunter arrived at that moment, puzzled by the strange sight of the unbound goose sitting still, while his commander-in-chief stood firm beside him. The hunter had never encountered such devotion. Touched by the geese’s loyalty, he saw that the commander was willing to give up his life to save the Bodhisatta. Moved by their selflessness, the hunter released the golden goose, carefully freeing his leg from the snare and washing the blood away.

Miraculously, as the hunter’s gentle hands touched the Bodhisatta’s wound, it healed, as if the injury had never occurred. The Bodhisatta, though grateful for his freedom, knew that the hunter had lost much by setting him free. “We must repay this kindness,” he told the commander-in-chief. “Let us go to the city and ask the king to reward the hunter.”

The hunter, however, cautioned them against visiting the city. “Kings are unpredictable,” he warned. “They may turn you into pets or even feast upon you.”

But the commander-in-chief was resolute. “If we can persuade a hunter to show such kindness, surely we can sway a king to reward such virtue.”

And so, the two geese journeyed to the city. There, they met the king, a ruler known for his wisdom and compassion. The hunter told the king the story of the golden goose and the commander-in-chief’s loyalty, and how he had been willing to die rather than leave his king behind.

The king, moved by this tale, called the geese to sit on golden chairs and treated them to a feast of the finest foods: parched grain, honey, and molasses. After the meal, the Bodhisatta spoke to the king.

“Your kindness has saved my life,” he said. “But there is one more gift I wish to offer. The hunter here has acted with great virtue, and he deserves to be rewarded. I ask that you grant him wealth and honor.”

The king, impressed by the Bodhisatta’s wisdom, agreed. “The hunter shall be given a grand house, a magnificent chariot, and riches beyond measure. I will also place him in charge of a village that yields a hundred thousand coins annually.”

But the Bodhisatta, ever humble, refused any reward for himself. “I ask only that you reduce the hunting in your kingdom,” he said. “Let the creatures of the forest live in peace, without fear of the hunter’s trap.”

The king, moved by the Bodhisatta’s words, agreed to enact a new law, protecting the animals and ensuring their safety. He honored the golden goose and his commander-in-chief, and vowed to rule with kindness and wisdom.

And so, the Bodhisatta and his flock returned to the Himalayas, where the geese rejoiced in their king’s safe return. They sang songs of praise for the commander-in-chief, the hunter, and the king, wishing them all eternal happiness.

The Moral of the Story:

This tale teaches us about the power of loyalty, selflessness, and compassion. The Bodhisatta’s wisdom and humility, as well as the commander-in-chief’s devotion, demonstrate that true greatness comes not from wealth or power, but from love, sacrifice, and the willingness to protect and honor others.