Then Sokkā says, “Heṭṭirālahāmi, in our kingdom it was that very work that was mine. I am much accustomed to it.” Having said this he took charge. [After] taking charge, every day uprooting and uprooting the best (lit., good good) flower trees (plants) he began to plant [them afresh].
The Heṭṭirāla having gone one day, when he looked saw that all the flower trees had died. Having said, “Sokkā, thou canst not [do] this work; thou hast completely done for my flower garden,” he beat him.
He said, “After that, that work is of no use for thee,” and gave him charge of a plantain garden. Having handed it over he said, “Sell the plantains; having brought the money thou art to give it to me.”
Then Sokkā said, “It is good, Heṭṭirālahāmi; I am accustomed to that work.”
Well then, what does that Sokkā do? Leaving aside the ripe plantains, having cut the immature plantains he takes them to the shop. No one taking them, having brought them back he throws them away. By this means, all the plantain garden went to waste.
The Heṭṭirāla having gone one day, when he looked the plantain garden had been destroyed. Thereupon, having called Sokkā, and having said, “Where is the revenue obtained from this? Thou art a Yakā come to eat me,” he became angry, and scolded him.
Having said, “Thou canst not do that work. Look here (Menna); from to-day attend thou to the grazing of these cattle,” he gave him charge of them.
Then Sokkā, having said, “It is good, Heṭṭirālahāmi. In our country I do that for a livelihood; I am well accustomed to it,” took charge of them. Taking charge, he went driving the cattle to the jungle.
Having gone there he looked for a bull to eat, and having killed it, cutting a haunch he came home [with it]. At that time the Heṭṭirāla having seen the haunch of flesh, asked, “What is that, Sokkā?”
Then Sokkā says, “As I was going a leopard was [there], seizing a deer. Then I said ‘Hū.’ Then the leopard sprang off and ran away. After that, because I was unable to bring it I came [after] cutting off a haunch.”