Ja 74 The Story about the Way of Trees
(Rukkhadhammajātaka)
In the present two kin tribes argue over the distribution of water. The Buddha tells a story of the past showing how, when trees stand together, they are strong and can withstand the winds, and when they are solitary, they are easily overthrown (full story).
1. Sādhū sambahulā ñātī, api rukkhā araññajā,
Vāto vahati ekaṭṭhaṁ, brahantam-pi vanappatin-ti.
Well done the numerous relatives, trees born in the wilderness, the wind carries off one alone, even the great lord of the wood.
In this connection, numerous relatives, from four upwards even to one hundred thousand is called numerous, thus the numerous relatives who dwell depending on each other.
Well done means excellent, praiseworthy, these not troubled by others, this is the meaning.
Trees born in the wilderness, let there be human beings in the wilderness, even as the numerous trees born there, they stand by encouraging each other, saying: ‘Well done.’ Therefore it is suitable for trees to get together.
The wind carries off one alone means the wind blowing from the east and so on, carries off one standing alone in the courtyard, standing solitary, even the great lord of the wood, even the great tree endowed with roots and branches is carried off, after uprooting it, it falls, this is the meaning.