There was a monk who understood the language of all animals. One day, he was walking by the riverbank. Just then, he saw a fisherman cast a big net into the river. Peering into the water, the monk saw a big fish following its pretty wife. The husband was so lost in its beauty that it failed to see the net and was trapped. Lying on the ground, the fish pleaded to see its wife. The monk realised the fish’s foolishness and decided to save it. He requested the fisherman to give him a fish for his curry. He was told to pick any fish and the monk chose the unfortunate husband. He then advised the husband, “Don’t be so distracted by beauty that you harm yourself. Do not be trapped by your desires.” The fish realised its mistake and thanked the monk, who released it back into the river.
Moral: Desires can lead to suffering
