How the Jackal got its Black Back

How the Jackal got its Black Back, a fable by Chrigi-in-Africa, Ranger of the San Clan

The jackal was very much in love with the sun, and would follow it all day long.

Then one day, the jackal noticed the sun was not moving in the sky, so he began to search for her. After looking nearly all day, he found her: stuck in the thorny branches of an Acacia tree.

Worried that the thorns would hurt her, the jackal called up to the sun; "Love my heart, let me free you from the branches, and take you to your home!"

The sun answered; "My dearest friend, that is not a good idea! You are not strong enough nor tall enough to carry me. You must call upon the elephant instead. Also, I am very hot. I will burn you!"

But the jackal was very much in love with the sun, and did not want to listen. So he jumped up into the tree, and when he grabbed the sun to pull her free, he burned his paws.

Yelping with pain, the jackal pulled her from the tree's thorny embrace and quickly set her upon his back. Running as fast as he could, he took her to the edge of the world, where she lives.

All the while, the sun was burning his back. Finally reaching the edge of the world, the sun got off the jackal's back and immediately went to sleep as she was tired after the long and stressful day.

And the poor jackal? Today, you will see the bottom of a jackal’s feet and his back are black from where the sun has burned him.

And, as the sun goes to sleep each night and early in the morning before she rises, you will hear the jackal call; "Where is my love, where is my love, I miss you, miss you!"

(adapted via Gateway Africa)

(image via Brian Ralphs)