No Naga will ever cut down a fig tree, even today, because of a promise that they made long ago. It happened like this.
Once a young Naga had to walk through a thick jungle on a journey from his village across a high range of mountains. Now, sure enough he was a brave young Naga but the forest was full of demons and dark things that roam at night. The Naga knew that these creatures attacked only from behind, as they were afraid of sharp things like knives. But the Naga also knew that they showed no mercy and if they caught hold of him, they would eat him up without hesitation or compassion.
One little fellow with great fangs and terrifying eyes did try, but the Naga was more than a match for him and he turned in a flash and cut him into ribbons with his knife.
But it was getting dark and the young man felt he might not be able to or lucky enough to destroy all the creatures that came his way, so he started looking out for a place where he could shelter at night.
He went up to the mountain ebony with its wood and white flowers. Such a beautiful tree would surely be good enough to shelter him, he thought.
"Please hide me beneath your branches for the night," he requested. "If I don't find a place for the night soon, the dark creatures will come and kill me."
"No," said the mountain ebony shaking its white flowers and glossy leaves. "I can't do that. The devils may shred my flowers and tear my leaves as they look for you and then, where will I be? I'm afraid you must find some other place."
It was now almost dark and the young man was getting quite desperate. He went to the ironwood tree. "Will you hide me, please? The devils that come out at night will tear me to shreds," he pleaded.
"I'm so sorry I would love to help you, but I really can't. We ironwood trees don't shelter people. You have to find someone else," he said and rattled his sword-like leaves.
