§58 二子分财喻
(58) the two brothers and their inheritance
昔摩罗国有一刹利,得病极重,必知定死,诫敕二子:“我死之后,善分财物。”
once upon a time, there was a ksatriya of the makara kingdom who fell seriously ill, and was aware of the fatal hour. to his two sons he ordered, "after my death, divide between the two of you evenly my effects and money."
二子随教,于其死后,分作二份。兄言弟分不平。尔时有一愚老人言:“教汝分物,使得平等,现所有物,破作二份。云何破之?所谓衣裳中割作二份,盘、瓶亦复中破作二份,所有瓮、缸亦破作二份,钱亦破作二份。如是一切所有财物尽皆破之,而作二份。”
after his death, the two sons followed their father's will. but the elder brother complained against the younger of unfairness in their shares. an old man nearby said, "let me teach you how to divide equally your father's fortune." "how!" they asked. the old man replied, "cut all the valuable garments into two parts. then break everything else into two equal parts, such as tray, bottle, bowl, dish, money and so forth."