O parrot so gay why brooding sit here?
This tree is full sear and nought thee affords.
O bird like the Spring, come tell me I pray,
The reason this tree you quit not at once?"
Then the parrot-king replied, "I, flamingo, do not abandon this tree from feelings of deep gratitude." He then spake the following gâthas:—
"True friends indeed are friends in time of need,
In life and death, in weal and eke in woe;
Though poor or rich a friend doth cling to friend,
The good remember well their friends' deserts.
I'm one of those that ne'er forget a friend,
Both friend and kinsman is this tree to me;
Not e'en to save my life could I it leave,
Full wrong it were to quit when now decayed."
When Indra heard the parrot's story he was pleased, and applauded the bird. He then, desirous of bestowing a favour, uttered the two following gâthas:—
"Well hast thou done all friendly acts, O friend.
Thy gratitude the wise will sure applaud."
"Desire a boon, I give thee one, O bird.
Come make thy choice, say what thy heart desires."
On hearing this the parrot asked a boon, and uttered the following gâtha:—
"If now, bird, a boon thou wouldst bestow,
Oh! cause this tree again to live and grow.
With branches green, with bloom, and eke with fruits,
Pray make it sweet, and pleasant to the eye."
Then Indra, granting him a boon, spake the next gâtha:—
"Behold, O bird, a tree full large and strong.
Both thou and thine abide in safety here.
It branches has, and blooms, and fine ripe fruit.
It stands to view a sweet and handsome tree."
And when Indra had thus spoken he put off his assumed guise and showed Sujâ in her true form. Then he took water in his hand from the Ganges, and struck the Udumbara stock; and therefrom there sprang up a tree possessing branches and leaves, and bearing sweet fruits, and there it stood having withal the loveliness of a polished
