[333] 11.
When the crane of pure white plumage,
terrified by fear of the black storm-cloud,
flies off to shelter, seeking shelter,
then the river Ajakaraṇī delights me.
When the crane of purest white,
terrified by fear of the black storm-cloud,
searches for a refuge, seeing no refuge,
then the river Ajakaraṇī delights me.
Whom indeed do they not delight there —
the rose-apple trees on both sides there?
They adorn the bank of the river
behind the great cave.
Well escaped from the hordes of snakes,
the frogs croak in soft tones:
"Today is no time for dwelling away from the mountain streams;
safe is the Ajakaraṇī, benign, most delightful."
The Elder Sappaka.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.