The story of a snake-charmer in Benares who had also a tame monkey. Once, during a festival, he left the monkey with a corn-factor (the Bodhisatta) and set out to earn money by making sport with the snake. The monkey was well looked after by the Bodhisatta. Seven days later the snake-charmer returned drunk and ill-treated the monkey. When the man was asleep the monkey escaped and refused to come back in spite of his former owner's fine words.
The story was told with reference to a novice who was ordained by a distinguished Elder. The Elder ill-treated the lad who, in exasperation, left the Order. The Elder persuaded him to return, but when this had happened twice again, the lad refused to come back (J.iii.197-9). The novice is identified with the monkey of the story.