Jataka Wise Foolish Caravan

tale:jataka_wise_foolish_caravan

Two caravan-leaders cross a desert. Goblins disguised as travelers coming from ahead, clothes soaked and telling of plentiful water, persuade the foolish leader to throw away his water-casks; stranded and parched, his company is destroyed. The wise leader, the Bodhisattva, distrusts the too-easy story, keeps his water, and brings his people through alive. Moral: distrust the convenient tale; keep what sustains you until you know. — Jataka tale