In the wild and open plains of South Africa, where the sun burned fiercely during the day and the nights were alive with the sounds of animals, there lived two unlikely companions: the Lion and the Jackal.
The Lion was mighty, feared by all creatures. His roar echoed across the grasslands, and his strength made him king of the beasts. The Jackal, on the other hand, was smaller and weaker, but he was sharp-witted and quick-tongued. Though the Lion relied on his muscles, the Jackal depended on his cunning.
For a time, the two hunted together. The Jackal, sly as he was, had convinced the Lion that it was best for them to share their efforts. The Lion provided the power, while the Jackal claimed to know clever ways to trap prey. But in truth, the Jackal often tricked the Lion, ensuring that he himself got the better share of the hunt.
The First Trick
One day, while walking through the tall grasses, the Jackal said to the Lion, “Come, friend, let us chase game together. But since you are stronger, you should take the lead.”
The Lion agreed, trusting the Jackal. Soon, they spotted a herd of antelope grazing in the distance. The Lion crouched low, his golden fur blending with the savanna, and sprang with great force. The antelope scattered in fear, and the Lion brought one down with ease.
But when it came time to divide the kill, the Jackal used his sly tongue. “You have done the hard work, noble Lion. Surely, you must be tired after such effort. Let me guard the meat while you rest.”
The Lion, proud of his strength and unsuspecting of trickery, lay down under a tree to sleep. As soon as his eyes closed, the Jackal devoured most of the prey, leaving the Lion with little more than bones.
When the Lion awoke, the Jackal pretended to be innocent. “Alas! Other scavengers must have come while I was protecting the food. I tried to fight them off, but I am small and weak.”
The Lion, though suspicious, did not challenge the Jackal.
The Second Trick
Some days later, the Jackal devised another scheme. He led the Lion to a great cliff and pointed upward. “Do you see those fat rock rabbits hiding among the stones? If you climb up, you can catch them. I will stay below, in case they try to escape.”
The Lion agreed and began climbing the steep rock face. But the Jackal, instead of waiting to help, shouted and made noises that scared the rabbits away long before the Lion reached them. Exhausted from the climb, the Lion found nothing. When he returned to the ground, panting and angry, the Jackal shrugged. “The rabbits are quick. Surely even you, with all your strength, cannot match their speed.”
The Lion’s patience began to wear thin, but he held his temper.
The Trap Turns
At last, the Jackal grew bolder. One day, he tricked the Lion into chasing game deep into a narrow canyon. “The fattest antelope are in there,” he whispered. The Lion charged ahead, but when he entered, he realized too late that the walls were steep and smooth. The Jackal had led him into a trap.
From the top of the canyon wall, the Jackal laughed. “You thought yourself king, but it is I who am cleverest! Here you will stay, while I roam free.”
The Lion roared with fury, his voice shaking the cliffs. Days passed, and the Jackal, thinking himself victorious, mocked the Lion each time he came near.
But the Lion was not without his own cunning. He waited patiently until the Jackal grew careless. One evening, as the Jackal leaned too far over the cliff edge to taunt him, the Lion leapt upward with all his might. His claws caught the Jackal, dragging him down into the canyon.
There, the Lion ended the Jackal’s tricks forever.
Moral Lesson
This South African folktale teaches that cunning without honor leads to downfall. The Jackal believed his cleverness made him superior, but his deceitful tricks only brought him ruin. True strength lies not just in wit or might, but in fairness and honesty.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in the South African folktale “The Lion and the Jackal”?
The Lion, symbolizing strength, and the Jackal, representing cunning.
2. How did the Jackal trick the Lion after their first hunt?
He convinced the Lion to rest, then ate most of the prey while blaming scavengers.
3. What happened when the Lion climbed the cliff to catch rock rabbits?
The Jackal scared the rabbits away, leaving the Lion exhausted and empty-handed.
4. How did the Jackal trap the Lion in the canyon?
He lured the Lion into a narrow canyon with steep walls, leaving him stuck.
5. How did the Lion eventually defeat the Jackal?
He waited patiently until the Jackal leaned too close, then leapt up and pulled him into the canyon.
6. What is the moral of “The Lion and the Jackal”?
That dishonesty and selfish cunning lead to destruction, while fairness ensures lasting respect.
Source: South African folktale
