The Foolhardy Jackal
A jackal serving a lion becomes overconfident, decides to hunt an elephant, but fails and pays the price.
Long time ago, in the heart of a deep, dense forest, a lion emerged from his cozy den. He had just eaten a big buffalo and was feeling satisfied. His belly full, he strolled to the lake for a refreshing drink.
On his way back, the lion bumped into a hungry jackal. The jackal was afraid but knew he couldn't escape, so he quickly lay down at the lion's feet.
"What do you want?" the lion asked in his deep, booming voice.
"O Mighty Lion," replied the jackal, "please allow me to serve you."
"Alright," said the lion, "if you serve me, I'll provide you with good food." The lion then trotted back to his den for a nap.
After his rest, the lion gave the jackal his first task. "Each day, climb the mountain top and look for any elephants, ponies, or buffaloes. If you see any, come back and say, 'Great Lion, awaken in your power. Food awaits us.' I will then hunt, we will both eat."
And so, day after day, the jackal would climb the mountain, spot a potential meal, and report back to the lion. The lion would then hunt the creature, and they would both feast on the spoils.
As time passed, the jackal grew larger and stronger, thanks to the bountiful food he was eating. He started feeling proud of his size and strength, and thought to himself, "Why am I relying on the lion's kill? I should hunt my own food. I'll bring down an elephant myself."
He went to the lion with his plan. "I want to hunt an elephant myself. Let me rest in the den while you spot the elephant. Then, call me out saying, 'Great Jackal, awaken in your power. Food awaits us.' I will then kill the elephant."
The lion tried to warn him, "Jackal, only lions can kill elephants. No jackal has ever killed an elephant. Eat what I hunt, and be content."
But the jackal was determined. So, the lion agreed, "Alright, have it your way."
The lion climbed the mountain and spotted an elephant. He returned to the den and called out, "Great Jackal, awaken in your power. Food awaits us."
Excited, the jackal sprinted out of the den and charged at the elephant. He jumped towards it, but his aim was off. He landed at the elephant's feet. The elephant lifted its foot and squashed the overconfident jackal.
Seeing this, the lion sighed and said, "You won't be hunting again, you foolhardy Jackal."
Audio available for B1 version
A long time ago, in a big forest, a lion woke up from his cozy home.
He had just eaten a large buffalo and felt very full.
The lion walked to the lake to have a drink of water.
On his way back, the lion met a hungry jackal.
The jackal was scared but knew he couldn't run away, so he lay down at the lion's feet.
The lion asked, "What do you want?"
The jackal replied, "Oh mighty lion, please let me serve you."
The lion thought for a moment and then said, "Alright, if you help me, I'll give you good food."
Then the lion went back to his home for a nap.
After his rest, the lion gave the jackal his first job.
He said, "Every day, go to the top of the mountain and look for any big animals like elephants, horses, or buffaloes.
If you see any, come back and tell me, 'Great lion, wake up.
There is food for us.'
Then, I will hunt, and we will both eat."
So, every day, the jackal climbed the mountain, looked for food, and told the lion when he saw something.
The lion would hunt the animal, and they both ate together.
As time went on, the jackal grew bigger and stronger because of the good food.
He started to feel proud and thought, "Why should I wait for the lion to hunt?
I should hunt my own food.
I can catch an elephant by myself."
The jackal went to the lion and said, "I want to hunt an elephant myself.
Let me rest in the den while you find the elephant.
Then call me and say, 'Great jackal, wake up.
There is food for us.'
I will hunt the elephant."
The lion warned him, "Only lions can hunt elephants.
No jackal has ever done it.
Be happy with the food I get."
But the jackal was determined.
So, the lion agreed and said, "Alright, have it your way."
The lion climbed the mountain, saw an elephant, and came back.
He called out, "Great jackal, wake up.
There is food for us."
Excited, the jackal ran out and charged at the elephant.
But he missed and landed at the elephant's feet.
The elephant stepped on the jackal and crushed him.
The lion sighed and said, "You will never hunt again, foolish jackal."
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Reflection Questions
- Why do you think the Jackal wanted to hunt an elephant even after the Lion warned him?
- How does the Jackal's behavior change as he grows larger and stronger?
- Can you think of a time when you or someone else didn't listen to good advice, and what happened?
- What does this story teach us about understanding our limitations and taking advice seriously?
- How can we apply the lesson from this story in our everyday lives to make wise decisions?
Fable Quotes
Pride precedes a fall, for overconfidence blinds us to the perils that lie ahead.
Wisdom is heeding the advice of experience, for ignoring it can lead to foolhardy downfall.
With power and strength comes responsibility to use them wisely.
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