All this Cloud-chariot, the future Buddha, saw and heard. And
with deep pity he thought: "Alas! This is a serpent named
Shell-crest, sent here by Vasuki for Garuda to eat. And this is his
mother, following him out of her great love. He is her only son,
and she is mourning in pain and bitter anguish. I should forever
curse my useless life if I did not save one in such agony at the cost
of a body which must perish anyway some day."

So Cloud-chariot joyfully approached and said to the old mother:
"Serpent-mother, I will save your son. Do not weep."

But the old mother thought that this was Garuda, and she
screamed: "O Garuda, eat me! Eat me!"

Then Shell-crest said: "Mother, this is not Garuda. Do not be
alarmed. What a difference between one who soothes our feelings
like the moon, and the fearful Garuda."

And Cloud-chariot said: "Mother, I am a fairy, come to save your
son. I will put on his garment and offer my own body to the hungry
bird. Do you take your son and go home."

But the old mother said: "No, no. You are more than a son to me.
To think that such as you should feel pity for such as we!"

And Cloud-chariot answered: "Mother, I beg you not to disappoint
me." But when he insisted, Shell-crest said: "Noble being, you
have certainly shown compassion, but I do not wish to save my
body at the expense of yours. Who would save a common stone at