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48. THE STORY OF THE AXLE AND THE TREE (4.13)[]
While the Lord Buddha was dwelling at Savatthi, a certain lay-disciple there filled some carts with wares and went to Videha to do business. There he had disposed of his goods he loaded his waggons with return-wares and proceeded on the road for Savattht. As he was journeying along in a forest the axle of a cart broke. Now a certain man who wished to get a tree, took his axe and hatchet and set out from his village. As he was walking around in the forest, he came to this place and saw the lay-disciple dejected on account of his broken axle. He felt pity for him and cut down a tree, and having made a strong axle. he fitted it to the cart without charging him anything.
But later on he died and was reborn in this very spot in the forest as an earth-deva, As he considered his deed, he went by night to the house of that lay-disciple and standing at the door, spoke this stanza:
"What he gives becomes not just that. Just give the gift. Giving he traverses both (worlds); by it he goes to both. Be not slothful."
When the merchant got back to Savatthi he told this to tb.e Teacher(Buddha).