In times past, when Brahmadatta ruled at Benāres, four Brahman brothers in the kingdom of Kāsi adopted the life of ascetics, and building a row of leaf-huts in the Himālaya region, took up their abode there. The eldest of the four brothers died and was reborn as Sakka, king of gods. Knowing who he had been, he went from time to time, every seven or eight days, and ministered to his former brothers. One day he saluted the eldest ascetic, sat down on one side, and asked: “Reverend Sir, is there anything you need?” The ascetic, who was suffering from jaundice, said: “I need fire.” Sakka gave him a little hatchet. Said the ascetic: “Who will take this and fetch me wood?” Then Sakka said to him: “When, Reverend Sir, you need wood, just rub this hatchet with your hand and say: ‘Please fetch me wood and make me a fire.’ And the hatchet will fetch wood, make a fire, and turn it over to you.” Having given him the little hatchet, Sakka went to the second ascetic and asked: “Reverend Sir, what do you need?” Past his leaf-hut ran an elephant-track. Since the elephants bothered him, he said: “The elephants annoy me; drive them away.” Sakka presented a drum to him, saying, “Reverend Sir, if you beat this side, your enemies will flee; if you beat that, they will become kindly disposed and will surround you with a fourfold army.” Having given him the drum, Sakka went to the youngest ascetic and asked: “Reverend Sir, what do you want?” He also was afflicted with jaundice; therefore he said: “I want curds.” Sakka gave him a bowl of curds, saying: “If you invert this and make a wish, the curds will turn into a mighty river, will set flowing a mighty flood, and will even be able to get and give you a kingdom.” So saying, he went his way. From that time on the little hatchet made fire for the eldest brother; when the second brother beat the drum, the elephants fled; the youngest brother enjoyed his curds. At that time a boar, rooting among the ruins of a village, caught sight of a gem endowed with magical power. He bit the gem, and by its magical power rose into the air. Seeing a little island in mid-ocean, he thought: “There now is the place for me to live.” So he descended and made his home in a pleasant place under a fig tree. One day the boar lay down at the foot of that tree, placed the gem in front of him, and fell asleep.