The Favorite Jataka : หน้า 28/131

After thrice marching round it he said, “My lord, the thieves went down into this tank,” and taking out the treasure, as if he had deposited it there himself, he gave it to the king and said, “My lord, these two thieves are men of distinction: by this way they climbed up into the palace.” The people snapped their fingers in a high state of delight, and there was a great waving of cloths. The king thought, “This youth, me thinks, by following in their steps knows the place where the thieves put the treasure, but the thieves he cannot catch.” Then he said, “You at once brought us the property carried off by the thieves, but will you be able to catch the thieves and bring them to us?” “My lord, the thieves are here: they are not far off.” “Who are they?” “Great king, let anyone that likes be the thief. From the time you recovered your treasure, why should you want the thieves? Do not ask about that.” “Friend, I pay you daily a thousand pieces of money: bring the thieves to me.” “Sire, when the treasure is recovered, what need of the thieves?” “It is better, friend, for us to catch the thieves than to recover the treasure.” “Then, sire, I will not tell you, ‘So and so are the thieves,’ but I will tell you a thing that happened long ago. If you are wise, you will know what it means.” And herewith he told an old tale. The Favorite Jataka