The Dove
A dove landed in King Shibi's lap and pressed against him, shaking with fear. It said: "Save me."
A hawk landed nearby. It said: "That dove is my food. You have no right to protect it. Hunger is my dharma as a predator."
King Shibi said: "I will not give a creature that has come to me for protection. I will find you equivalent food."
The hawk said: "Then give me your own flesh, equal in weight to the dove."
The Scales
A scale was brought. The dove was placed on one side. Shibi cut flesh from his own thigh and placed it on the other side. The dove's side was heavier.
He cut more. The dove's side was still heavier. He cut from his arms. His chest. The dove's side remained heavier regardless of how much flesh he placed on the scale.
Finally Shibi climbed onto the scale himself.
The Revelation
The hawk and dove transformed. They were Indra and Agni — come to test the king's dharma.
They restored his flesh. They blessed him. The story was told across the earth as the highest example of the promise of protection — *abhaya daan*.