Clever Jackal Gets Away

Clever Jackal Gets Away, a traditional Zulu story

One day long ago, Jackal was trotting through a narrow, rocky pass. He kept his nose to the ground as he ambled along, as he often did, to catch the odd scent.

"Never know when I'll happen upon my next meal," he thought to himself. Although it was highly unlikely that he would find a rat out in the midday heat, perhaps he could catch a lizard or two.

Suddenly he sensed movement on the trail just ahead. "Oh, no!" Jackal moaned, stopping in his tracks. Lion was coming toward him. Realizing that he was too near to escape, Jackal was filled with fear

He had played so many tricks on the great King of Beasts in the past, he was sure that lion would take this opportunity to get his revenge. In a flash, Jackal thought of a plan.

"Help! Help!" cried Jackal. He cowered on the path, looking up at the rocks. Lion stopped short in surprise. "Help!" Jackal howled, using the fear he felt in the middle of his chest to accent his cry

Jackal glanced up at Lion. "Oh, great Nkosi ('Lord')! Help! There is no time to lose! See those great rocks on the cliff above us? They are about to fall! We shall both be crushed to death!!!!"

"Oh, mighty Nkosi, do something! Save us!" And Jackal cowered even lower, his paws covering his head. Lion looked up, most alarmed.

Before Lion even had a chance to think, Jackal was begging him to use his strength to hold up the overhanging rock. So Lion put his brawny shoulder to the rock and heaved mightily.

"Oh, thank you, great Nkosi!" yelped Jackal. "I will quickly fetch that log over there to prop under the rock, and we will both be saved!" With that, Jackal quickly bounded out of sight...

...leaving Lion to struggle under the weight of the unmoving rock. How long before he realized he'd been tricked again, we will never know. This much we do know: Jackal continued to live by his wits!

(adapted, originally via James Honey at World of Tales)

(images via Flavia and Sawan Online Bookstore)