“For, monks, to living beings in the form of animals, begging is said to have been offensive, hinting is said to have been offensive. How much more so must it be to human beings!” _B. Uncanonical version._ Jātaka 258: ii. 283-286. On a certain occasion the Exalted One reproved the monks for begging. Said he: “Monks, begging is offensive even to dragons, though the World of Dragons wherein they dwell is filled to overflowing with the Seven Jewels. How much more so must it be to human beings, from whom it is as difficult to wring a penny as it is to skin a flint!” So saying, he related the following Story of the Past: In times past, when Brahmadatta ruled at Benāres, the Future Buddha was reborn in a Brahman household of great wealth. When he was old enough to walk and could run hither and thither, another being of merit also received a new existence as his brother. When both brothers reached manhood, their mother and father died. In agitation of heart over their death, both brothers adopted the life of ascetics, and building leaf-huts on the bank of the Ganges, took up their residence there. The older brother’s hut was up the Ganges; the younger brother’s hut was down the Ganges. Now one day a dragon-king named Jewel-neck came forth from the World of Dragons, walked along the bank of the Ganges disguised as a Brahman youth, came to the hermitage of the younger ascetic, bowed, and sat down on one side. The dragon-king and the younger ascetic greeted each other in a cordial manner, and became fast friends and inseparable companions. Every day Jewel-neck would come to the hermitage of the younger ascetic and sit down and talk and converse with him. When it was time for him to go, out of affection for the ascetic he would lay aside his human form, encircle the ascetic with his coils, and embrace him, holding his huge hood over his head. Having remained in this position for a time, and having dispelled his affection, he would unwind his body, bow to the ascetic, and go back again to his own abode. The ascetic, for fear of him, became lean, dried-up, pale, yellow as ever was yellow, his body strewn with veins. One day he went to visit his brother. The latter asked him: “Why are you lean, dried-up, pale, yellow as ever was yellow, your body strewn with veins?” He told him the facts. The older ascetic asked: “But do you or do you not wish that dragon never to come back again?” The younger ascetic said: “I do not.” “But when that dragon-king comes to your hermitage, what ornament does he wear?” “A jewel.”