Some two thousand years ago, in ancient India, there was a pond teeming with fish. They lived happily in the clear water, swimming, jumping, and floating in their watery home.
Then, a long drought began. Day by day, water evaporated until the pond was nearly dry. The fish faced certain death under the relentless sun.
An old man walking by saw their plight. Filled with compassion, he went directly to the king. "The fish pond is almost dry," he said. "If it pleases Your Majesty, could you send twenty elephants to carry water and save them?"
The king, a Buddhist, was moved by the request. "Your kindness is wonderful," he replied. "Take as many royal elephants as you need to save the suffering fish."
The old man, with his two sons, selected twenty elephants. They borrowed many leather skins from breweries—used in those days to store and transport liquor. Leading the elephants to a great river, they filled the skins with water. The elephants carried the heavy loads to the pond and poured the life-giving water in.
After many trips, the pond was refilled. The fish were saved! They leapt and swam joyfully.
Watching the happy fish and the ripples on the water, the old man felt all the worries and sadness of his long life wash away. As night fell, he and his sons cheerfully returned the elephants to the royal stables and went to share the good news with the king.