Once, a quail, a monkey and an elephant lived near a banyan tree. The three would often have arguments. One day, the three friends decided that every time they argued they would listen to the oldest person among them. However, none of them knew one another’s age. The elephant said, “When I was a baby, I would scratch my belly by rubbing it over the tender shoots of the banyan tree.” The monkey said, “When I was a baby, I would examine the little banyan seedling and eat its tender leaves.” The quail said, “I once dropped the banyan seed here where it grew up to be this very tree.” The elephant said, “Quail, you are the oldest and your opinion will be the most valued.” In truth, the quail was none other than the Bodhisattva.
Moral: One must respect the wisdom of elders.
