In Banaras, the Bodhisatta was once born as a potter. He supported his family by making clay pots and toys with clay from the banks of a river and a huge lake near by.
During heavy rains the water of the lake and the river flowed together, but during drought the water level fell and they were separated till the lake went almost dry. The creatures of the lake were wise and knew when there was going to be a drought or a flood and when it would rain. So when they knew a drought was approaching, they quickly swam from the lake into the river. Later, they returned to their homes in the lake.
However, there was one stubborn old tortoise who would always refuse to move. “I was born here,” he would say, “This has been the home of my parents and forefathers. Why should I go and live somewhere else? I will stay right here.” And then he would dig a hole in the cool sand and bury himself in it till the waters flowed again. He had managed to carry on like this from time to time, so he was sure he was always right.
One day, there occurred a drought. While all the fishes, birds, crabs and the turtles moved to the river, the old tortoise dug himself into the sand and stayed there, refusing to move. He thought he was safe.
The potter came as usual to the lake and the river to collect the clay for his work. He took his shovel and set to work collecting clay and putting it into the sacks on his donkey’s back. Then suddenly, he hit a hard bit of clay and drove his shovel in with great force. It was not hard clay but the tortoise’s shell that he hit. The shell broke and the poor tortoise yelled in agony.
“Oh! Oh! I am a miserable creature. They told me to go to the river. But I was so attached to my home that I refused to move. And now look at the result of my attachment!” he moaned, “I will have neither my home nor my life! Oh! I am dying!”
The Bodhisatta comforted him as long as he could till the tortoise died. Then he told the villagers, “Friends, let us take a lesson from this poor tortoise. He has died because of his excessive attachment. If we are moderate in our attachment, life becomes more beautiful.” The Bodhisatta’s teachings were understood by the people and spread to other places too.
