The Jackal's Strategy

In a jungle so green it looked like someone had colored it with extra-bright crayons, Mahachaturaka, a super-smart jackal, pranced around. "Wowza! Look at all these plants and critters! It's like a big, green playground!"

Then, guess what? He found a huge, already-sleeping-forever elephant. "Yay! I found a big snack! I'm the luckiest jackal ever!" But, oopsie-doodle, he couldn't bite through the elephant's tough skin. "Aw, man! This is like trying to open a jar of pickles with a feather!"

Just as he was thinking about what to do next, a big, strong lion walked up. Mahachaturaka quickly bowed. "Hi, Mr. Lion! Guess what? I found you a giant snack! I'm like your waiter or something!"

The lion chuckled, "Nah, I only eat stuff I catch. But thanks for the offer, little buddy!" And off he went, probably to find some fresh food.

Not long after, a leopard showed up. Mahachaturaka jumped on top of the elephant like he was king of the castle. "Hey there, Leopard! Stop right there! Mr. Lion caught this, and I'm guarding it. You don't want to mess with a lion's dinner!"

The leopard looked at the ground and saw lion paw prints. "Yikes! I better go find some other food! Don't tell the lion, okay?" And zoom, off went the leopard, as fast as a race car.

Next, a tiger with super-sharp teeth walked up. Mahachaturaka's eyes twinkled. "Eureka! I know how to open this big snack!"

"Hey, Mr. Tiger, you look hungry. Mr. Lion caught this, but he said I could watch it. Wanna take a bite? I’ll make sure Mr. Lion doesn't come back!"

The tiger grinned. "Free food and a lookout? Sure thing!" He bit into the elephant's tough skin, making a hole. But just as he started eating, Mahachaturaka yelled, "Uh-oh! Mr. Lion's coming back! Run!"

Zoom! The tiger was gone in a flash, leaving Mahachaturaka alone with the elephant and a hole in its skin. Just as he started to eat, another jackal showed up. Mahachaturaka wagged his tail. "Sorry, buddy, this is my special meal! Go find your own!" And he chased the other jackal away, like he was playing tag and was "it."

Finally, Mahachaturaka took a big bite of the elephant. "Yum, yum, yum! I did it! I'm not just a smart jackal; I'm a smart jackal with a full tummy!"

And so, Mahachaturaka learned that being quick-thinking and a little brave can sometimes get you a big, yummy reward. Just remember, always look out for paw prints!

Mahachaturaka, clever and sly,
Found an elephant, fallen, oh my!
"Meals for days!" he happily cried,
But the skin was too tough, though he tried and he tried.

Along came a lion, so royal and grand,
Mahachaturaka had to think, quick on the stand.
"Dear King," he said, "this feast is for you!"
But the lion just nodded, "I hunt my own, it's true."

Then a leopard appeared, with spots and with grace,
Mahachaturaka jumped up, a big smile on his face.
"Don't touch! The lion's prize, you see,
I'm guarding it well, so best listen to me."

The leopard took note of the pawprints around,
"Alright, I'll leave, and won't make a sound!"
He dashed away fast, not a moment to spare,
But the elephant still lay there, going nowhere.

Next came a tiger, with stripes black and bold,
Mahachaturaka thought, "Aha! A plan will unfold."
"Hey Tiger," he called, "you look like you could feast,
I'm guarding for Lion, but you can have some at least."

The tiger jumped up, tore a hole in the hide,
"Quick, the lion returns!" Mahachaturaka lied.
The tiger ran off, faster than wind,
Now our clever jackal knew where to begin.

Just as he thought his feast was at hand,
Another young jackal appeared on the land.
Mahachaturaka growled, "This is mine, go away!"
And at last, he could feast, oh what a day!

So Mahachaturaka, with smarts and with wit,
Finally could eat, bit by scrumptious bit.
Through trickery and tales, he found his own way,
To fill up his belly, for many a day.