Having witnessed the fate of the jackal, Deva Sharma continued on his journey in search of Ashadha-bhuti. As evening approached, he came to a village and sought shelter for the night. He was received into the house of a weaver.

There lived in that village a weaver whose wife was unfaithful and devoted to another man.

That evening the husband and wife quarrelled. The weaver beat his wife, bound her to a post with a rope, and, overcome with drink, lay down to sleep. Deva Sharma rested in a corner of the house, but sleep did not come to him.

After the weaver had fallen asleep, the wife considered how she might free herself.

At that time the wife of the village barber, who was her friend, came to the house. Seeing her bound, she asked, "Why have you been tied to this post?"

The weaver's wife replied, "My husband has done this. Untie me for a little while. I must go to meet someone and shall return before he awakens. Take my place until I come back."

Out of friendship, the barber's wife agreed. She untied the weaver's wife, bound herself to the post in her place, and the weaver's wife went away.

After some time the weaver awoke. Still overcome with anger and drink, he called to his wife, but received no answer.

He said, "Though you are unfaithful, you still remain stubborn. I shall teach you a lesson."

Taking a sharp knife, he went to the post and, believing the woman bound there to be his wife, cut off her nose.

The barber's wife freed herself and fled to her own house.

Soon afterwards the weaver's wife returned. Seeing the blood upon the ground, she understood what had happened. She bound herself once more to the post as before.

When morning came, the weaver looked upon his wife and saw that her nose was whole. He was filled with astonishment.

The woman said, "Behold the power of a faithful wife. Though you cut off my nose in anger, it has been restored through the power of my chastity."

The weaver believed her words and released her.

Meanwhile the barber's wife returned to her own house with her nose cut off. When her husband saw her, he asked, "Who has done this?"

She did not reveal the truth.

Later, during another quarrel, the barber threw aside his shaving knife in anger. The barber's wife went before the village elders and accused her husband, saying, "My husband has cut off my nose."

The village elders seized the barber and condemned him to death.

When Deva Sharma heard what had happened, he went before the village elders and said, "This man is innocent. I saw everything that happened."

He told them all that he had seen: how the weaver had bound his wife, how the barber's wife had taken her place, how the drunken weaver had cut off the barber's wife's nose, and how the weaver's wife afterwards returned and deceived her husband.

Having heard his account, the village elders released the barber. Thus the deceit of the two women became known.

When these matters had been concluded, Deva Sharma returned to his own monastery.

Damanaka then said to Sanjivaka:

"Friend, reflect upon what you have heard.

Deva Sharma placed his trust in one who appeared devoted, and through that trust he came to grief.

The greedy jackal placed himself between two stronger creatures and perished.

The weaver was deceived by appearances, believing falsehood to be truth, while the barber was brought to the brink of death through another's deceit.

Therefore I say, do not place your trust merely because another speaks kindly or appears faithful. A man's true nature is not always revealed by his words.

Pingalaka is a lion. Though he now speaks to you as a friend, his nature has not changed. Consider well where you have placed your trust."