(This is the story as it is found in the Hitōpadēśa, with an antelope in place of the deer.)
North-western Province.
The Rat and the Turtle that kept the Precepts. (Variant b.)
In a certain country there is a river. At the river there is a Rat; in that river there is a Turtle. Every day when this Turtle rises to the surface this Rat is here. The Turtle said, “Friend, what are you [doing] there?” he said.
“I am keeping the Precepts” (of Buddha).
“Is it good for me also to come?” the Turtle said.
This Rat said, “It is very good.” After that the Turtle came.
At the time when these two are keeping the Precepts a Deer came to the river for drinking water. Having seen these two here, “What, friends, are you [doing] there?” [he said].
“We are keeping the Precepts.”