Story of the fool who mistook hermits for monkeys.
Project Gutenberg EPUB3 edition
Somadeva Bhatta, active 11th century and Tawney, C. H. (Charles Henry)
For instance, there was in a certain place a foolish man. He was once going to a foreign country, accompanied by his son, and when the caravan encamped in the forest, the boy entered the wood to amuse himself. There he was scratched by monkeys, and with difficulty escaped with life, and when his father asked him what had happened, the silly boy, not knowing what monkeys were, said; “I was scratched in this wood by some hairy creatures that live on fruits.” When the father heard it, he drew his sword in a rage, and went to that wood. And seeing some ascetics with long matted hair, picking fruits there, he ran towards them, saying to himself, “Those hairy rascals injured my son.” But a certain traveller there prevented him from killing them, by saying; “I saw some monkeys scratch your son; do not kill the hermits.” So by good luck he was saved from committing a crime, and returned to the caravan.
“So a wise man should never act without reflection. What is ever likely to go wrong with a man who reflects? But the thoughtless are always ruined and made the objects of public ridicule.”