[298] Then indeed, sirs, Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo (phussakokila) approached the bird Kuṇāla. The bird-maidens (dijakaññā) who were the attendants of the bird Kuṇāla saw Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo coming while still far off; and having seen him, they approached Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo, and having approached, they said this to Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo: "Friend Puṇṇamukha, this bird Kuṇāla is exceedingly harsh, exceedingly harsh of speech (pharusavāca); perhaps, relying upon you, we might yet obtain kindly speech (piyavācā)." Saying, "Perhaps so, sisters," he approached the bird Kuṇāla; and having approached and exchanged friendly greetings with the bird Kuṇāla, he sat down to one side. Seated to one side, Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo said this to the bird Kuṇāla: "Friend Kuṇāla, why do you conduct yourself wrongly toward females who are well born, daughters of good families, and who conduct themselves rightly toward you? Even toward females who speak what is disagreeable, friend Kuṇāla, one ought — so it is said — to speak what is agreeable; how much more, then, toward those who speak what is agreeable!" When this was said, the bird Kuṇāla reviled Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo thus: "Perish, friend, you vile wretch, you outcaste! Be destroyed, friend, you vile wretch, you outcaste! Who, pray, is so clever as you — you who are conquered by a wife?" And Puṇṇamukha the spotted cuckoo, thus reviled, turned back from that very place.
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.