English Original
In the small Indian city of Sravasti, a weary Brahman arrived one hot day. He was a holy man devoted to prayer, carrying only a staff and a bowl for offerings. Though he accepted only simple food and water, he willingly took money and jewels from the townspeople. His wisdom brought him fame and wealth, but instead of helping others, he secretly hoarded his riches in a hole in the forest, becoming a miser.
One day, he discovered his treasure was stolen. Overcome with grief and rage, he declared he would starve himself to death at a holy riverbank. The news distressed the townspeople and reached King Prasnajit, a wise and compassionate ruler.
The king intercepted the Brahman on his journey and promised to recover the treasure. After inspecting the empty hiding place, the king devised a clever plan. He pretended to be ill and summoned all the town's doctors. By questioning them about their patients, he learned that a merchant named Matri-Datta was ill and had been prescribed juice from the nagaballa plant, which grew in the forest.
The king summoned Matri-Datta and asked who had fetched the plant. The merchant named his servant. When the terrified servant was brought before the king, Prasnajit directly accused him of the theft. Overwhelmed, the servant confessed and retrieved the heavy sack of treasure from a new hiding place deep in the forest.
King Prasnajit forgave the repentant thief, telling him to "be a thief no more." The Brahman, overjoyed to have his treasure back, was then admonished by the king to make better use of his wealth. The king declared the matter closed, leaving the Brahman to ponder his own greed.
中文翻译
在一个炎热的天气里，一位疲惫的婆罗门来到了印度小城舍卫城。他是一位献身于祈祷的圣人，只带着一根手杖和一个接受布施的碗。虽然他仅接受简单的食物和水，却乐意收下镇民们的钱财和珠宝。他的智慧为他带来了名声和财富，但他没有帮助他人，反而将财富秘密藏匿在森林的一个树洞里，成了一个守财奴。
一天，他发现财宝被偷了。他悲痛欲绝，愤怒不已，宣布要在圣河岸边绝食自尽。这个消息让镇民们深感不安，也传到了智慧而仁慈的国王普拉森那吉特耳中。
国王在路上拦住了这位婆罗门，并承诺帮他找回财宝。在查看了空空如也的藏宝处后，国王想出了一个巧妙的计策。他假装生病，召来了城里所有的医生。通过询问他们的病人情况，他得知一位名叫玛特里-达塔的商人生病了，需要服用一种生长在森林里的纳加巴拉植物的汁液。
国王召来玛特里-达塔，询问是谁去采的植物。商人说出了他的仆人。当惊恐万分的仆人被带到国王面前时，普拉森那吉特直接指控他犯了偷窃罪。仆人心理崩溃，供认不讳，并从森林深处的一个新藏匿点取回了沉重的财宝袋。
国王普拉森那吉特原谅了悔过的窃贼，告诉他“不要再做贼了”。婆罗门拿回财宝喜出望外，却遭到国王的告诫，要他更好地利用自己的财富。国王宣布此事了结，留下婆罗门独自反思自己的贪婪。