Consulting the scriptures of the shastras, one of the Brahmins declared, "The right path to follow is the path taken by great men!" Thus, they decided to take the same path as that of the funeral procession.
On reaching the cremation ground, the people in the funeral procession stopped, and initiated the funeral proceedings. Now, they started pondering what course of action they should take next.
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.
