The Crows Who Tried to Drink the Ocean

Samuddakākajātaka

“Our throats are tired.”—This story was told by the Master while at Jetavana, about a number of aged Brethren. Whilst they were still of the world, they were rich and wealthy squires of Savatthi, all friends of one another; and tradition tells us that while they were engaged in good works they heard the Master preach. At once they cried, “We are old; what to us are house and home? Let us join the Brotherhood, and following the Buddha’s lovely doctrine make an end of sorrow.”

Pāli: Mahāsaṅgīti Tipiṭaka · Public domain (CC0) via SuttaCentral