4.
The Chapter on the Cuckoo
331.
The Kokila Birth Story (4-4-1)
121.
Thus he lies slain, like the offspring of a cuckoo.
122.
Fells one so quickly, as does speech that is badly spoken.
123.
One should not speak excessively, even with one equal to oneself.
124.
He seizes all enemies, like a supaṇṇa does snakes.
The Kokila Birth Story is the first.
332.
The Rathalaṭṭhi Birth Story (4-4-2)
125.
O king, surely do not believe one who speaks first.
126.
Having heard the word of both, one should act according to the principle.
127.
A king not acting considerately is not good, whoever is a wise one prone to wrath, that is not good.
128.
For a king who acts considerately, fame and renown increase.
The Rathalaṭṭhi Birth Story is the second.
333.
The Pakkagodha Birth Story (4-4-3)
129.
When you, with sword bound on, armoured, wearing bark garments;
From a branch of the holy fig tree, the cooked iguana fled.
130.
One should not do good for one who does not wish one's welfare, one should not associate with one who does not associate.
131.
A bird, having known a tree to be without fruit, should look for another, for the world is vast.
132.
And I give you all sovereignty, to whomever you wish, you may give it.
The Pakkagodha Birth Story is the third.
334.
The Rājovāda Birth Story (4-4-4)
133.
All of them go crookedly, when the leader has gone crookedly.
134.
If he practises what is not the Teaching, how much more the other generation;
The whole country sleeps in suffering, if the king is not righteous.
135.
All the cows go straight, when the leader has gone straight.
136.
If he practises the Teaching, how much more the other generation;
The whole country sleeps in happiness, if the king is righteous.
The Rājovāda Birth Story is the fourth.
335.
The Jambuka Birth Story (4-4-5)
137.
You were not born in that family, where they capture elephants.
138.
Like a jackal having attacked an elephant, lies on the ground lamenting.
139.
He lies slain by the serpent, this jackal.
140.
By recitation, by incantation, by well-spoken words, the circumspect one conquers abundantly.
The Jambuka Birth Story is the fifth.
336.
The Brahāchatta Birth Story (4-4-6)
141.
What business have you with grass, that you speak only of grass?
142.
He, having taken all from me, putting down grass, goes away.
143.
Taking all of one's own, and not taking the grass.
144.
One of impermanent morality, immoral, what will wisdom do for him?
The Brahāchatta Birth Story is the sixth.
337.
The Pīṭha Birth Story (4-4-7)
145.
Practitioner of the holy life, forgive me, I see this transgression.
146.
Yet also a thought arose in my mind: "Such surely is the custom of this family."
147.
A seat, water, foot-ointment, all this we offer.
148.
We attend attentively, as if to the highest relative.
The Pīṭha Birth Story is the seventh.
338.
The Thusa Birth Story (4-4-8)
149.
Having avoided chaff after chaff, they eat the rice-grain.
150.
And whatever this "thus" and "so" is, this too is known by me.
151.
While still young, cut off the fruit with his teeth.
152.
And whoever this is that lies below, this too is known by me.
The Thusa Birth Story is the eighth.
339.
The Bāveru Birth Story (4-4-9)
153.
They venerated the crow there, with meat and with fruit.
154.
Then the material gain and honour of the crow diminished.
155.
So long they venerated others, many ascetics and brahmins.
156.
Then the material gain and honour of the sectarians diminished.
The Bāveru Birth Story is the ninth.
340.
The Visayha Birth Story (4-4-10)
157.
If from now on you would not give gifts, your wealth would remain as you restrain yourself.
158.
May that wealth not be yours, king of gods, on account of which enjoyment we would give up faith.
159.
The ancient established practice, let that practice continue, O Vāsava.
160.
Even being thus, we will give; let us not neglect giving.
The Visayha Birth Story is the tenth.
The Kokila Chapter is the fourth.
Its summary:
Then Rose-Apple, Grass Seat, Excellent Chair, then Rice, Peacock, Visayha - these are ten.