Ja 52 The Short Story about King Janaka
(Cūḷajanakajātaka)
In the present a monk has given up his efforts. The Buddha tells the story of how when he was lost at sea, he persevered and eventually was rescued by a Devatā and made it to land (full story).
1. Vāyametheva puriso, na nibbindeyya paṇḍito,
Passāmi vohaṁ attānaṁ udakā thalam-ubbhatan-ti.
A person must make an effort, the wise one should not be weary, I see myself as one who lifted myself from water to land.
In this connection, must make an effort means must make an effort.
From water to land means having emerged from the water onto land, I see myself standing on land.