Tag Archives: footprints

SHORT STORY: THE INTELLIGENT JACKAL

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    There was once a ferocious lion who lived in a dense jungle.  One day, he could not prey upon a single animal in spite of wandering around in search of food the whole day. It was almost sunset, and the lion started returning, even when, he was very hungry. On his way back, he saw a big cave, and thought to himself, “For sure some animal must be living in this big cave. Such a nice cave cannot be empty, someone has to be there. At sunset, which ever animal lives here, is bound to return. So, I shall hide myself inside the cave and wait for my dinner to arrive.” 
    The cave was home to a jackal, who arrived, a little while after the lion had hidden himself inside. But while entering he noticed the footprints of the lion leading into the cave, but could not find any footprint coming out. 

    He thought, “If a lion has indeed entered the cave, I will be dead as soon as I enter. But, how can I, be sure? There is no reason for me to stay away from my home if there is no lion inside. I must find out a way to confirm if the lion is still inside.”  

    The jackal thought of a plan, and while standing in front of the cave, began to shout, “Hello Cave! Hello Cave! Can I come inside?” For a few moments, he waited in silence and shouted again, “Hello Cave! Have you forgotten our understanding of all these years? I always wait for your reply before I enter. Why are you silent today? I shall then go to some other cave if you do not reply.” 
    Upon hearing this, the lion thought, “The cave must reply to the jackal when he returns at sunset. It is, because I am inside, the cave is not replying today. So, I must invite the jackal on behalf of the cave, or the jackal will go away.” 
    So, the lion replied from inside the cave, “Hello Jackal, you may enter. It is safe inside.” But the reply was frightening due to the echo from the walls of the cave. The jackal at once knew that the lion was waiting for him to enter and make a meal out of him. He ran off, as fast as he could to save himself. 
Moral of the story: Use your brains to protect yourself from destruction.

Posted by Kamlesh Tripathi

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https://kamleshsujata.wordpress.com

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