Sālikedārajātaka

Suttapiṭaka · Khuddakanikāya · Jātaka (1) · Vol. 27 · Section 1878

[1878] "Tender are my little sons, O Kosiya, their wings not yet grown; they, whom I have supported, will support me in turn: therefore I grant a loan to them. My mother and father are old, worn with age, their youth gone by; carrying [rice] to them in my beak, I discharge the debt contracted before. There are other birds there too, their wings worn out, utterly feeble; seeking merit (puñña), I give to them: that the wise have called a treasure (nidhi). Such is my lending of a loan, and such my release from debt; I declare the laying up of treasure: know it thus, O Kosiya."

English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.