How the Poor Man became Wealthy
In a certain country there are a woman and a man, it is said. During the time while they are there, there is an infant [son] of the two persons. After the infant became big they were stricken by a very great scarcity of food.
Having given all and eaten, being without anything, at the time when, doing work at cities and having brought rice dust, they were continuing to eat, a King came, and calling that boy went away [with him].
The King having come again to this boy’s house, said at the hand of the boy’s mother and father, “How is the manner in which you get a living now?”
The two persons said, “Having worked in these cities and brought rice dust [we cook and eat it].”
The King said, “Can you go with me to my city?”
The two persons having said “Hā,” the two went with the King to the King’s city. The King built and gave the two persons a house also (gēkut), to be in, and the two, doing work at the city, [after] cooking continue to eat.
All the city spoke of giving a dānaya (religious feast) to the Gods and the host who come with the Gods. These two also spoke, “Let us also give (demu) a dānaya.” Having been there without eating for two or three days, they got together the things for the dāna.
When they will give the dāna on the morrow, to seek a fish for the dāna this man went to the sea quarter. As he is going, the sea fishermen, having drawn their nets ashore, are stringing the fishes together. Then the fishermen asked, “Where are you going?”
This man said, “I am to give a dānaya to the Gods to-morrow. For it I am going to seek a fish.”