Mahilaropya was a prosperous city, and among its merchants none was more enterprising than Vardhamana. Though already wealthy, he considered that wealth should continually be increased, and therefore resolved to journey to Mathura, where merchants gathered from distant lands.

He filled a sturdy cart with fine goods and yoked to it his two bulls, Sanjivaka and Nandaka. They were strong and well matched. With servants following, he set out at an auspicious hour.

For many days they travelled without mishap. Then they came to the Yamuna, where recent rains had turned the track to soft mire. As the wheels dragged, Sanjivaka's foot sank deep. He fell heavily and wrenched his leg. The cart jolted, and though he strained, he could not stand again.

Vardhamana halted the caravan. He called two of his men and instructed them to remain with Sanjivaka until he recovered. If he died, they were to perform the proper rites and then rejoin the caravan.

The caravan moved on.

The two men kept watch through the morning, then through the afternoon. When evening fell, the forest changed. The cries of wild beasts rose on every side. Fear overcame the two servants. Believing the bull would not recover, they abandoned him and hastened after the caravan.

When they reached Vardhamana they told him Sanjivaka had died. Believing their report, Vardhamana mourned the loss of the bull and continued his journey to Mathura.

Sanjivaka did not die.

The river was near.

He drank its cool water and cropped the tender grass that grew thick upon its bank. Sheltered from burden and allowed to rest, his wound closed slowly.

Days passed.

He regained his strength and more. Unyoked and free, he wandered at will, pawed the earth, and often bellowed. His voice carried far through the quiet forest.

One afternoon that bellow reached the ears of Pingalaka.

Pingalaka was the lion who ruled the forest. He had come down to the Yamuna to drink. He had never heard such a sound. Without touching the water, he turned back and seated himself beneath a great banyan at the forest's edge, silent, his eyes fixed upon the thicket.

His attendants, who had followed at a distance, gathered around him in silence.

Not far away stood two jackals, Karataka and Damanaka. Their fathers had been ministers in Pingalaka's court, but they themselves held no office now.

Damanaka had watched the lion closely.

He said to Karataka in a low voice, "Our lord came to drink, yet he returned without drinking. He sits apart and watches the forest as though an enemy stood there. Something has moved him."

Karataka replied, "What is that to us? We hold no place in his council. A man who concerns himself with matters that are not his own often meets misfortune. Like the monkey who pulled the wedge."

Damanaka asked, "How was that?"