The Bodhisatta was once a merchant named Paṇḍita and entered into partnership with a dishonest man, Atipaṇḍita. When the time came for dividing the profits the latter claimed a larger share, for he, as his name showed, was the “brains” of the business. To settle the dispute he hid his father in a hollow tree, and feigning to consult a Tree-sprite, referred the matter to the Tree. Paṇḍita suspecting the ruse, lit a fire at the foot of the tree and thus exposed the cheat.

The story was related in reference to a cheating merchant of Sāvatthi, who is identified with Atipaṇḍita. He tried to rob his honest partner, always putting off his claims, in the hope that he would die from the hardships suffered in a long journey they had undertaken for trade. J.i.404 f