The tale of Jackal’s Bride comes from the oral traditions of Southern Africa, a land where stories echo through the savannas, teaching lessons through animal characters that mirror human strengths and flaws. This story, though short in its original telling, carries the weight of both wit and warning, reminding listeners that no deceit goes unpunished.
It begins with Jackal, the trickster figure often found in African folklore. He had recently married Hyena, and in celebration of their wedding feast, he devised a bold plan. Rather than hunt honestly or share from his own stores, Jackal set his eyes on a prize that did not belong to him. He stole a cow that belonged to the industrious ants, a community known for their hard work and unity. The theft set in motion a chain of events that would expose his cunning nature but also reveal the dangers of arrogance.
Jackal slaughtered the cow to prepare a lavish feast for his bride. To dress her, he draped the stolen cow’s skin over Hyena, wrapping her in what he thought would pass for wedding finery. He then set about arranging the feast in a most peculiar way. Jackal erected a tall forked pole and, instead of using it merely to hang meat, he balanced the hearth itself at the top. There, above the ground, he placed the cooking pots filled with savory dishes. Fat sizzled, meat boiled, and the air filled with the rich aroma of wedding food, while Jackal basked in his cleverness.
It was then that Lion arrived, drawn perhaps by curiosity or by the tempting smell of meat. Lion, the king of beasts, demanded to join the celebration. Jackal, unwilling to deny him outright yet wary of his strength, pretended to welcome him. He asked his little daughter to fetch him a thong—a strong strip of leather, so that he could haul Lion up the pole to where the feast was set. Dutifully, the girl obeyed, and Jackal began pulling Lion upward.
But Jackal had no intention of letting Lion feast. As Lion’s head drew near the pot of food, Jackal suddenly cut the thong. Lion tumbled to the ground with a crash. Quick to disguise his trickery, Jackal scolded his daughter sharply. “Why did you give me such an old thong?” he demanded. Then he ordered her to bring him a new one.
With another thong in hand, Jackal tried again. He pulled Lion up the pole a second time, higher and higher, until his head was once more beside the steaming pot. This time Jackal said slyly, “Open your mouth.” Trusting, or perhaps simply confused, Lion obeyed. In that instant, Jackal dropped into his mouth a piece of hot quartz stone that had been boiling in fat. The stone slid down Lion’s throat, burning him from within. The mighty Lion roared in agony, but the damage was fatal. His strength ebbed, and soon the great beast lay dead.
But Jackal’s troubles were far from over. News of the stolen cow reached the ants, and they came swarming in fury to reclaim what was theirs. Jackal, realizing the danger, did what he always did best, he ran. Swiftly, he disappeared from the scene, leaving his bride behind.
The ants turned on Hyena, who still wore the stolen cow’s skin as her wedding dress. They swarmed over her, beating her mercilessly. Hyena, bewildered and in pain, thought at first that it was Jackal playing some cruel game. “You tawny rogue!” she cried. “Have you not played at beating long enough? Have you no more loving game than this?”
But when her teeth tore through the cowhide and she glimpsed the angry ants beneath, the truth became clear. She was not being teased by her husband, she was being punished by those from whom he had stolen. Terrified and humiliated, Hyena fled. She stumbled here and there, falling as she went, but at last managed to escape with her life.
Jackal, meanwhile, was nowhere to be found. His cunning had won him temporary victories, but his deceit left behind only pain, death, and disgrace.
Moral of the Story
The story of Jackal’s Bride warns against the dangers of greed, arrogance, and betrayal. Trickery may bring short-term gains, but deceit destroys trust, harms the innocent, and ultimately leads to ruin.
Knowledge Check
Q1: Who did Jackal marry in the folktale Jackal’s Bride?
A: Jackal married Hyena, making her the central figure of his wedding feast.
Q2: Why did Jackal steal the cow from the ants?
A: Jackal stole the cow to provide meat and celebration for his wedding feast.
Q3: How did Jackal trick Lion during the wedding feast?
A: He pretended to haul Lion up to the food, then dropped hot quartz stone into his throat, killing him.
Q4: What role did Hyena play in Jackal’s deception?
A: She wore the stolen cow’s skin as her wedding dress, unknowingly becoming part of his deceit.
Q5: How did the ants punish Hyena?
A: Believing she was complicit, the ants attacked and beat her while she wore the cow’s skin.
Q6: What is the main lesson of Jackal’s Bride?
A: The story teaches that greed and deceit ultimately lead to destruction and loss of trust.
Source: South African Folktale
