Many lives ago was there a deep forest where beasts and birds dwelt and nourished their young in peace, but one day a wind blew and brought on its wings a great fire. And none had pity on the beasts and birds but one pheasant, glorious of plumage, and this, caring nothing for her own life, plunged into a stream of pure water, and flying upward shook the drops from her feathers on the flames. Therefore Indra, King of the Gods, seeing said: “Foolish bird! and what can this do? You weary yourself in vain! This is a deed for the great and not for a little bird!” And she: “You are Indra, King of Heaven, and with a wish you could quench this fire, yet do not. But as for me while it burns I have no time for words.” And again she flew against the fire, sprinkling water. And the Great God blew with his breath, extinguishing the fire, but the pheasant had perished. Now in that former life was the Lady Amra that bird, and because the fruit of a high deed can never perish so, passing through many lives, she attained at last to lie at the feet of the Blessed One. Just and perfect is the Law. So, seated, at his feet, she received the Heart of Wisdom and accepted the first noble Truth, the Truth of suffering. And when the Exalted One judged that she could receive no more that day, he dismissed her, and she bowed at his feet and said this: “O, may the Lord in deep compassion do me the honour of eating at my house to-morrow.” And all assembled thought this could not be, but the Blessed One gave by silence his consent, and circling reverently about him three times she departed glad of heart, and the people made way for one so honoured. Now the nobles of Vaisali had come out to meet the World-Honoured and they were on the road, and Amra in the dancing joy of her heart drove up against them, axle to axle, and they said angrily. “How is it, Amra, that you, being such a one, drive up against us?” And she cried aloud. “Noble persons, I have bidden the Exalted One for tomorrow’s meal, and he comes—he comes!” And they halted amazed, and said: “Sell us the honour of his company for great weights of gold.” And she, glowing with joy. “Noble persons, were you to give me Vaisali and all its subject territories yet would I not give up this honourable meal.” And the angry nobles cast up their hands, crying. “We are outdone by this mango-girl! We are out-reached by this mango-girl.” And in anger they proceeded to the garden and went in before the Lord where he sat surrounded with calm, and they said: “May the Exalted One do us the honour of taking his meal together with his disciples at one house to-morrow?” But he replied: “Noble persons, I have promised to eat with the Lady Amra.” And again they threw up their hands exclaiming: “We are outdone by this mango-girl. Great shame to us is this!”