Vishnu Sharma
|
India

The Jackal And The Drum

A curious jackal hears a strange sound and discovers an abandoned battlefield with a drum that leads him to food.
Curiosity
Fear
Resourcefulness
Panchatantra Fables - The Jackal And The Drum
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a dense forest, there lived a clever jackal. One day, as he was wandering through the woods in search of food, he heard a strange sound. Thump! Thump! Thump! The sound was unfamiliar and quite loud, so the jackal became curious and wanted to find out what was making the noise.

Cautiously, the jackal followed the sound and discovered it was coming from an old, abandoned battlefield. In the middle of the field, there was a large drum. The drum was being struck by branches as they swayed in the wind, creating the thumping noise that had piqued the jackal's curiosity.

At first, the jackal was frightened, thinking the drum might be a dangerous creature. But as he observed from a safe distance, he realized that it was just an inanimate object. The jackal's fear turned into amusement, and he laughed at himself for being so scared of a simple drum.

With his fear gone, the jackal grew bolder and approached the drum. He sniffed around it and soon discovered that there were food scraps left by soldiers who had once fought on the battlefield. Overjoyed by his newfound food source, the jackal feasted on the leftovers and went on to live comfortably in the area.

And so, the clever jackal had found both the source of the strange sound and a way to satisfy his hunger, all because he had been curious and had overcome his fear.

Once upon a time, in a forest that was more tangled than a plate of spaghetti, there was this wily jackal, clever as a fox but twice as furry. One day, the jackal was prancing around the woods, belly growling like an old tractor engine, when he heard a most curious noise: Thump! Thump! Thump!

“Blimey! What's that noise?” the jackal said, ears perked up like two satellite dishes. “Is the forest throwing a dance party without inviting me?”

Curiosity tickled the jackal like a feather, so he decided to follow the sound. He tip-toed, he crept, he snuck, and he even did a little moonwalk.

As he reached an old, abandoned battlefield, he spotted a large drum, being bashed about by the wind like a pinata at a birthday party. THUMP! THUMP! THUMP!

“Hold on, hold on!” the jackal said, scratching his head. “Is that drum challenging me to a dance-off? Well, bring it on, Mr. Drum!”

But then, he thought it might be some ferocious beastie, and he began to shake in his furry boots. But, with a squint of his eye and a twist of his head, he realized it was just a drum. A drum playing a solo concert without an audience. How sad!

“Oh, you cheeky drum, scaring me like that!” he chuckled. “And here I thought it was a beast trying to beat-box.”

The jackal's fear turned into a giggle, and he laughed so hard, even the trees started to shake their leaves.

Feeling bolder than a block of cheddar cheese, the jackal went up to the drum and gave it a good sniff. And what did he find? Food scraps! Delicious, delightful, delectable leftovers!

“Why, Mr. Drum, you're not only a musician but also a chef! Who would have thought?” the jackal exclaimed.

He feasted on the food like he was at a five-star buffet and lived happily in the area, plump and pleased.

Amidst trees that stood tall and vast,
A jackal roamed, memories of his past.
Hunger in his belly, eyes wide with quest,
When a sound made him halt, unlike the rest.

Thump! Thump! Thump! Echoed clear,
What could it be? The source wasn't near.
Drawn by the sound, so strange and new,
The jackal followed, as the mystery grew.

Past tangled vines and shadows so deep,
To an old battlefield where memories seep.
A drum stood grand, hit by a tree's dance,
Its rhythmic sound, put the jackal in trance.

At first he stepped back, with a start and a fear,
Was this drum alive? Or a foe lurking near?
But watching with patience, from a spot out of sight,
The truth of the drum came to light.

He chuckled and giggled, at his own silly fright,
It was just a drum, bathed in pale moonlight!
With newfound courage, he moved near the drum's side,
Sniffed for some food, his hunger to bide.

Amid old helmets, shields, and rusted blade,
He found soldier's scraps, a feast ready-made!
Joyfully he feasted, by the moon up above,
And in that old battlefield, he found a home to love.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why was the jackal initially afraid of the drum?
  2. How did the jackal feel when he discovered that the drum was not a dangerous creature, and why did he feel that way?
  3. What made the jackal decide to investigate the source of the noise?
  4. How can the jackal's story teach us about the importance of overcoming our fears and being curious?
  5. Can you remember a time when you were afraid of something unknown, but it turned out to be not scary at all once you learned more about it?

Fable Quotes

Curiosity is the engine of achievement.
Fear is the lock and courage is the key.
Resourcefulness uncovers treasures where others see obstacles.
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