“I cannot make your lot,” said he, “fall upon the others. You know well enough it has fallen upon you. Go away!” Receiving no help from him, she went to the Bodisat and told him the matter. He listened to her quietly and said: “Be it so! Do you go back. I will relieve you of your turn.” And he went himself and laid his head on the block of execution.
The cook, seeing him, exclaimed: “The King of the Deer whose life was promised to him is lying in the place of execution. What does it mean?” And he went hastily, and told the King.
The King no sooner heard it than he mounted his chariot and proceeded with a great retinue to the place, and beholding the Bodisat, said: “My friend, the King of the Deer! Did I not grant you your life? Why are you lying here?”
“O great King! A roe with young came and told me that the lot had fallen upon her. Now I could not ask another to take her place, so I, giving my life for her, have lain down. Harbor no further suspicion, O great King!”
“My Lord, the golden-colored King of the Deer! I never yet saw, even among men, one so full of forbearance, kindness and compassion. I am pleased with thee in this matter! Rise up. I grant your lives, both to you and to her!”
“But though we be safe, what shall the rest do, O King of men?”
“Then I grant their lives to the rest, my Lord.”
“Thus, then, great King, the deer in the park will have gained security, but what will the others do?”
“They also shall not be molested.”
“Great King! even though the deer dwell secure, what shall the rest of the four-footed creatures do?”