Ānanda once saw a poor youth going along in a ragged garment, a potsherd in his hand. Ānanda took him to the monastery and ordained him. The youth hung his garment and the potsherd on the branch of a tree and practised meditation. After a time he became fat and discontented and wished to return to the lay life. However, on noticing his rag and his potsherd, he realised his folly and, admonishing himself, returned to his meditation. Three times the same thing happened, but in the end he became an Arahant. He used to speak of the rag as his “teacher.” DhA.iii.84 f.