Long ago, when animals lived and spoke as people do, there was a cunning creature named Jackal. He was small in size but clever beyond measure, and his tricks were known throughout the land. Jackal relied on his wit rather than strength, and this often brought him both triumph and trouble.
When the time came for Jackal to marry, he chose Hyena as his bride. Hyena was greedy and loud, but in Jackal’s eyes, she was the perfect companion for his mischief. A wedding demanded a great feast, yet Jackal owned no cow to provide the meat. Instead of admitting this, he looked to the ants, who were known to keep cattle. Without hesitation, Jackal stole one of their cows to use for his wedding.
He slaughtered the animal, and with the hide he covered Hyena as though it were a wedding gown. It was a strange dress, yet Jackal cared little for appearances. To prepare the feast, he drove a tall forked pole deep into the ground and fixed the hearth upon it. From that high place, the fire crackled and the pots boiled with rich food. The smell of roasting meat and bubbling fat drifted far and wide, filling the air with irresistible promise.
It was not long before Lion caught the scent. Proud and mighty, Lion never ignored a feast, especially one that seemed to take place without his blessing. He strode to Jackal’s wedding with his mane glistening in the light and his heavy paws shaking the earth. Seeing the pots of food placed high upon the pole, he demanded to be lifted up.
Jackal, pretending to honor his request, called to his young daughter. Bring me a thong so I may pull Lion up, he told her. She hurried and gave him a strap. Jackal tossed it down to Lion, then pulled with all his might until the great beast rose slowly into the air. The rope groaned under the weight, and Lion’s head soon neared the steaming pot. But just then Jackal pulled out his knife and cut the thong.
With a great roar, Lion crashed to the ground. Dust rose around him as Jackal turned in anger to his daughter. Foolish child, he scolded. Why did you give me such an old thong that breaks so easily? Fetch me a stronger one at once.
The girl, believing her father’s words, obeyed. She brought him a fresh thong, and again Jackal lowered it down. Lion, still determined to eat, seized it eagerly. Once more Jackal pulled him up, straining with effort until the great head hovered beside the pot. This time Jackal smiled with false kindness. Open your mouth, friend, he said, and taste what I have prepared for you.
Lion, unsuspecting, opened wide. In that instant, Jackal dropped a hot piece of quartz that had been boiling in the fat. The stone slid down Lion’s throat, burning his insides as it sank deeper. Lion roared and thrashed in agony, but the stone scorched him beyond saving. Before long, the king of beasts lay still, destroyed by Jackal’s trick.
Jackal, proud of his cunning, turned back to the feast. Yet his troubles were not over. The ants had discovered their stolen cow and came rushing in a furious swarm to reclaim what was theirs. When Jackal saw the angry army approaching, he fled in terror, leaving his bride behind.
The ants surrounded Hyena, beating her as she stood wrapped in the cowhide. Hyena thought it was Jackal playing rough with her, and she laughed in annoyance. You tawny rogue, she cried, have you not had enough of your games? Do you not have a more loving way to treat your new bride?
But soon she bit a hole through the hide and realized the truth. It was not Jackal who struck her, but the angry ants. In a panic, Hyena broke free and fled, stumbling as she ran. Though she escaped with her life, she was left humiliated and furious. Jackal’s cleverness had brought ruin not only to his wedding feast but also to his bride.
Moral of the Story
This tale teaches that cleverness without wisdom leads to destruction. Jackal’s tricks allowed him to defeat Lion, yet his deceit angered the ants and ruined his own celebration. Deceit may bring short-term gain, but in the end, it causes loss and shame.
Knowledge Check: Questions and Answers
Q1: Who did Jackal marry in the story Jackal’s Bride?
A1: Jackal married Hyena.
Q2: From whom did Jackal steal the cow for his wedding feast?
A2: He stole the cow from the ants.
Q3: How did Jackal trick and kill Lion?
A3: He tricked Lion into opening his mouth and dropped a hot piece of quartz boiled in fat down his throat.
Q4: Why did Jackal scold his daughter during the feast?
A4: He pretended the thong she gave him was too old and weak when it broke, though he had cut it himself.
Q5: What did Hyena believe when the ants beat her?
A5: She thought it was Jackal playing rough games with her.
Q6: What is the main lesson of the story Jackal’s Bride?
A6: The story teaches that trickery and deceit can backfire, leading to shame and ruin.
Source: Khoikhoi folktale, Southern Africa
