[543] Bhikkhus, once in the past, in a certain lake there was a family of great tortoises that had dwelt there for a long time. Then, bhikkhus, one tortoise approached another tortoise and said to that tortoise: "Dear tortoise, do not go to that region."
But, bhikkhus, that tortoise went to that region, and a hunter pierced him with a corded harpoon (papatā). Then, bhikkhus, that tortoise approached the other tortoise. The other tortoise saw him coming while still far off; having seen him, he said to that tortoise: "I hope, dear tortoise, that you did not go to that region?"
"I did go to that region, dear tortoise."
"But I hope, dear tortoise, that you are unwounded and uninjured?"
"I am unwounded, dear tortoise, and uninjured; but there is this little cord following along right behind me."
"'Unwounded' indeed, dear tortoise — indeed you are injured! For it was on account of such a cord, dear tortoise, that your fathers and grandfathers met with calamity, met with disaster. Go now, dear tortoise; now you are not one of us."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.