（四）
(4)
昔有伎兒作種種伎樂，從一富長者乞牛，長者了無與心，故語之言：「汝能如是勤作伎樂晝夜不息滿一歲者，我當與汝牛。」伎兒答言：「能。」復語主人：「能聽不？」長者亦言：「能。」於是伎兒聞是歡喜，一心作樂，三日三夜未甞休懈。長者厭聽已，即勅子弟牽牛與之。此喻行道作福者，不以劫數為遠，精勤彌篤報至彌疾，不必皆經爾數劫也。
Once there was a performer who played various kinds of music for a wealthy elder, hoping to receive a cow in return. The elder had no intention of giving anything, but said to him, "If you can play your music diligently, day and night without rest, for an entire year, then I will give you a cow." The performer replied, "I can do that," and then asked the elder, "Do you agree to listen?" The elder said, "Yes."
Hearing this, the performer was overjoyed and devoted himself completely to making music, playing diligently for three days and three nights without a moment's rest. The elder grew tired of listening and immediately ordered his servants to give the performer a cow.
This parable illustrates that those who practice the Way and do good deeds should not view long periods of time—even countless eons—as too distant. With diligent effort and unwavering devotion, the reward comes quickly; it is not necessary that one must always go through countless eons.