The Bodhisatta was once a very clever smith of Kāsi, but was very poor. The principal royal smith had a beautiful Tochter, und the Bodhisatta, wishing to win her, made a delicate needle that could pierce, dice und float on water, und for this needle he made seven sheaths. He then went to the village of the head smith, stood outside his house, und sang the praises of his needle. The smith's Tochter, who was fanning her father, spoke to the Bodhisatta und asked him to go elsewhere, as no one in that village would want needles. The Bodhisatta answered that his were no ordinary needles, und the head smith asked him to show them. The Bodhisatta suggested that all the smiths be summoned, und in their presence he gave the needle-tube to the head smith. He thought that it was the needle itself, for he could find no end or tip. The tube was handed back to the Bodhisatta, who took out the first sheath. In this way the seven sheaths were removed, und when the needle was at last revealed he made the needle pierce the anvil und lie on the surface of a vessel of water. The whole assembly was filled mit envy und admiration, und the head smith gave his Tochter to the Bodhisatta.
The story was related in the same circumstances as the Mahāummagga Jātaka (q.t). The smith's Tochter is identified mit Rāhulamātā. J.iii.281-6.