(48) THE FOX WAS HIT BY A SNAP TO TWIG

Once a fox who stood under a tree was hit by a twig fallen on his back. He then closed his eyes for he did not like to see the tree. Soon after, he went to an open space. He would not return even when night fell.
Later, however, when he saw the branches and the leaves of a big tree wavering up and down in the wind, he said to himself, "The tree must be calling me." He then went back under the tree where he had got hit earlier.
So is a stupid disciple.
In his attempt of becoming a monk, he has chances to approach a tutor from who he runs away at his first slight rebuke. Afterwards, he gets into a lot of trouble when he meets friends who have adverse influence over him. Only then does he begin to think of returning to his tutor. It is indeed stupid of him to go and come like that.

48野干為折樹枝所打喻
譬如野干在於樹下，風吹枝折墮其脊上，即便閉目不欲看樹，捨棄而走到于露地，乃至日暮亦不肯來。遙見風吹大樹枝柯動搖上下，便言喚我，尋來樹下。愚癡弟子亦復如是，已得出家得近師長，以小呵責即便逃走，復於後時遇惡知識惱亂不已，方還所去，如是去來是為愚惑。

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