No. 97
Concerning Two Friends
At a certain time there were two men, friends. Of them, one person not having [food] to eat, was very poor. The other man had amply to eat and drink. At that time the man who had not [food] to eat, in order to get an assistance went near the friend who had [food] to eat. Then at the time when he went to the friend’s house, having amply given him food and drink, the friend asked, “What have you come for?”
Thereupon the man said, “Anē! Dear friend, not having to eat and to wear I came near you in order to get an assistance.”
Then the man having gone calling him to the bread shop, taking bread for ten shillings gave it to him, and said, “Here, friend, selling these things get a living. I am unable to give an assistance for more than ten shillings.”
Thereupon the man having said, “It is good,” at the time when he was bounding about taking the bread box having walked until it was becoming black, did not sell [anything]. Through anger that he did not sell it, this man sat down near a tree, and said, “This day on which I got the evil-looking (mūsala) bread is not good; I will eat these things.”
At that time, the Dēvatāwā who was in the tree, having become afraid, said, “Anē! O Lord, don’t eat me; I will give you a good article,” and gave him a plate.
The man, taking the plate, asked, “With this plate what shall I do?”
The Dēvatāwā said, “Having taken away the plate, and well polished it, and spread a white cloth, place it upon the table. Then you will receive tasty food [from it].” So the man, taking the plate, came to the Heṭṭiyā’s shop.
The Heṭṭiyā asked, “Appuhāmi, have you met with anything even to-day?”