While pondering such, they saw a donkey nearby. Consulting the scriptures of the shastras, a Brahmin declared, "A true friend is one who stands by you on all occasions. Be the occasion joyous or sad!"
Thus, they accepted the donkey as their true friend. They put their arms around the donkey's neck, adored and kissed him, after washing his hoofs with water.
At this time, they observed a camel running towards them, from a distance. Quickly consulting their scriptures of the shastras, one of the Brahmins declared, "Righteousness marches rapidly!". Thus, they agreed that the camel marching quickly towards them must be righteousness incarnate, and nothing else.
Another Brahmin, on consulting his scriptures declared, "A good man should always lead his friend to righteousness!"
Thus, they stopped the approaching camel and introduced it with the donkey. Then, they tied the donkey to the camel in order to lead their friend to righteousness. The camel dragged the donkey, while continuing his journey.
The donkey's master was a washerman, who saw the four Brahmins tie his donkey to the camel. He was angered by this, and ran after the Brahmins with a stick.
On being chased, the four learned fools, ran for their lives and reached a river. They observed that a leaf of a holy tree was floating on the water of the river.
One of the Brahmins declared, "Holiness carries one across the river of life!" He jumped at once, on the holy leaf to cross the river. Unable to swim, he immediately began to drown.
When another Brahmin saw him being dragged by the river, he got into the river at once and caught him by the neck. But the currents of the river were very strong and he was not able to drag his friend to the bank of the river. He remembered from the scriptures, "When a wise man knows that total destruction is imminent, he would sacrifice half and work with the rest!"
He immediately took out his sword, and cut his friend into half. He was then, able to drag him to the bank of the river. But, by that time he had already died.
They regretted their friend's loss, and later the three remaining Brahmins continued their journey.
After they wandered for some time, they reached a village. The villagers welcomed them in a very hospitable fashion, and offered them different houses to stay. They villagers decided that three different families will serve them with their dinner.
