The Story of a Wood Cutter's Son : หน้า 34/73

32 Clear-minded Youths - 4 The Story of a Wood Cutter's Son Once, in Rajagaha, a wood cutter went into the woods with his son to cut some firewood. On their return home in the evening, they stopped near a cemetery to have their meal. They also took off the yoke from the two oxen to enable them to graze nearby, but the two oxen went away without being noticed by them. As soon as they discovered that the oxen were missing, the wood cutter went to look for them, leaving his son with the cart of firewood. The father entered the town, looking for his oxen. When he went to return to his son it was getting late and the city gate was closed. Therefore, the young boy had to spend the night alone underneath his cart. The wood cutter's son, though young, was always mindful and was in the habit of contemplating the unique qualities of the Buddha. That night, two evil spirits came to frighten and to harm him. When one of the evil spirits pulled at the leg of the boy, he cried out, "I pay homage to the Buddha" (Namo Buddhassa). Hearing those words, the evil spirits got frightened and felt that they must look after the boy.