Then the crow, after listening to that, uttered the following gâtha:—
"Oh I tell me, I pray, what fruits do you like,
The flesh that you eat, from whence does it come?
O charming ones, say, what food do you eat?
For great is your strength and bright are your plumes."
The cakkavâkas then gave utterance to the following gâtha:—
"The lake no fruits us give, O cunning bird!
The ruddy geese feed not on carrion flesh,
Sevâla food we eat, and tender plants,
For eating's sake nor wrong nor harm would do."
Then the crow made answer:—
"Not much do I like the fare you enjoy,
I thought that your food might resemble your form.
No longer I think that such is the case,
I doubt very much what makes you so fine.
I feed upon flesh, of fruits I partake,
With salt and with oil good fare I enjoy,
And savoury food provided for men.
The best do I win like heroes in war.
And yet not so fine are my feathers as yours."
Then one of the cakkavâkas spake the following gâthas, telling the crow the reason why he was not beautiful, and why they were:—
"Foul feeder art thou, not choice is thy fare.
Most dear dost thou get thy meat and thy drink;[1]
For fruits do not please thy palate unclean,
Nor flesh of the dead that unburied doth lie.
Who wayward doth go his pleasure to seek,
And follows the joys of time and of sense,
Himself will he scorn as foolish and vain.
Upbraided[2] he'll lose his health and good name.
But he whom a little enjoyment doth please.
And hurts not a man by aught that's unjust.
Shall flourish and grow in health and good form.
It's worth and not food that makes a fine man."
Thus in more than one way the cakkavâka reproved the crow. On being censured he said, "I have no desire to be like you!" then away he flew, crying "Caw! caw!"
