There was once a sage who found a baby elephant in a forest. He took her home and cared for her like his own daughter. He named her Lakshmi. The sage had to leave for the village one day. He bought basketfuls of bananas before he left. When Lakshmi was hungry, she ate one basket of bananas. Then another and another. Soon, all the baskets were empty. When the sage returned, he saw Lakshmi lying on the ground. Her belly was swollen. The sage wandered in the forest, looking for help. There, he saw a monk. The monk advised, “It is your attachment to the elephant that is causing you grief. Here, take this powder and rub it on her head.” The sage went back home and did as the monk said. Lakshmi was fine again. But the sage had realised the truth of his life and he overcame his attachment.
The Monk’s Counsel
