Apannaka Jātaka — The Sure & Certain Way

Long ago, the Bodhisatta was born as the leader of a merchant caravan. There was also another, foolish caravan leader.

Each took five hundred carts and prepared to cross a great desert.

The foolish leader set out first. In the desert, demons appeared with wet clothes and muddy wheels and said, ‘There is rain ahead and plenty of water — empty out your water jars.’

Deceived by the lie, the fool poured out all his water. Without water, he and his whole company fell prey to the demons in the desert.

Then the Bodhisatta set out. The same demons brought the same lie to him.

The wise Bodhisatta reasoned, ‘If there were rain ahead, the wind would carry its moisture — yet the sky is clear.’ He saw through the deceit and kept his water.

Because they kept their water, the Bodhisatta and his company crossed the desert unharmed and returned with great profit.

Moral: The wise act according to truth; the foolish are deceived by false words and come to ruin.