..续本文上一页ame time. The wise merchant thought, "If this silly young fool travels with me and if our thousand carts stay together, it will be too much for the road. Finding wood and water for the men will be difficult, and there won”t be enough grass for the oxen. Either he or I must go first."

　　"Look," he said to the other merchant, "the two of us can”t travel together. Would you rather go first or follow after me

　　"

　　The foolish trader thought, "There will be many advantages if I take the lead. I”ll get a road which is not yet cut up. My oxen will have the pick of the grass. My men will get the choicest wild herbs for curry. The water will be undisturbed. Best of all, I”ll be able to fix my own price for bartering my goods." Considering all these advantages, he said, "I will go ahead of you, my friend."

　　The Bodhisatta was pleased to hear this because he saw many advantages in following after. He reasoned, "Those carts going first will level the road where it is rough, and I”ll be able to travel along the road they have already smoothed. Their oxen will graze off the coarse old grass, and mine will pasture on the sweet young growth which will spring up in its place. My men will find fresh sweet herbs for curry where the old ones have been picked. Where there is no water, the first caravan will have to dig to supply themselves, and we”ll be able to drink at the wells they have dug. Haggling over prices is tiring work; he”ll do the work, and I will be able to barter my wares at prices he has already fixed."

　　"Very well, my friend," he said, "please go first."

　　"I will," said the foolish merchant, and he yoked his carts and set out. After a while he came to the outskirts of a wilderness. He filled all of his huge water jars with water before setting out to cross the sixty yojanas [2] of desert which lay before him.

　　The yakkha who haunted that wilderness had been watching the caravan. When it had reached the middle, he used his magic power to conjure up a lovely carriage drawn by pure white young bulls. With a retinue of a dozen disguised yakkhas carrying swords and shields, he rode along in his carriage like a mighty lord. His hair and clothes were wet, and he had a wreath of blue lotuses and white water lilies around his head. His attendants also were dripping wet and draped in garlands. Even the bulls” hooves and carriage wheels were muddy.

　　As the wind was blowing from the front, the merchant was riding at the head of his caravan to escape the dust. The yakkha drew his carriage beside the merchant”s and greeted him kindly. The merchant returned the greeting and moved his own carriage to one side to allow the carts to pass while he and the yakkha chatted.

　　"We are on our way from Baranasi, sir," explained the merchant. "I see that your men are all wet and muddy and that you have lotuses and water lilies. Did it rain while you were on the road

　　 Did you come across pools with lotuses and water lilies

　　"

　　"What do you mean

　　" the yakkha exclaimed. "Over there is the dark-green streak of a jungle. Beyond that there is plenty of water. It is always raining there, and there are many lakes with lotuses and water lilies." Then, pretending to be interested in the merchant”s business, he asked, "What do you have in these carts

　　"

　　"Expensive merchandise," answered the merchant.

　　"What is in this cart which seems so heavily laden

　　" the yakkha asked as the last cart rolled by.

　　"That”s full of water."

　　"You were wise to carry water with you this far, but there is no need for it now, since water is so abundant ahead. You could travel much faster and lighter without those heavy jars. You”d be better off breaking them and throwing the water away. Well, good day," he said suddenly, as he turned his carriage. "We must be on our way. We have stopped too long al…

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