Vishnu Sharma
|
India

The Lioness and the Young Jackal

A lion couple raises a jackal pup, but his cleverness leads to rejection, and he finds acceptance among fellow jackals.
Identity
Acceptance
Adaptability
Panchatantra Fables - The Lioness and the Young Jackal
Audio available for B1 version

Once upon a time, in a faraway savanna, a lion couple discovered a tiny, shivering jackal pup all alone. Feeling pity, they took the young jackal in and raised it alongside their own lion cubs.

As the days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, they all grew together. The lions were strong, brave, and fierce, while the little jackal was clever, quick, and curious. Despite being different, they all played, learned, and lived together as a family.

However, things started to change as they grew older. The jackal, with his sharp mind and agile body, often outwitted the lion cubs in their games. The lion cubs, being larger and stronger, didn't appreciate this. They began to treat the jackal as an outsider, pushing him away.

The jackal, feeling rejected, decided to get back at the lion cubs. He thought of a clever plan. One day, he convinced the cubs to follow him to a deep, dark cave, claiming it was filled with treasures. However, the cave was home to a fearsome bear. As soon as the cubs entered, the bear woke up, roared loudly and chased them away.

The lion parents, hearing the commotion, arrived just in time to rescue their cubs. Seeing the jackal's betrayal, they sternly told him, "You are not one of us. You should go back to your own kind."

With a heavy heart, the jackal left the lion family. He wandered alone until he found a pack of jackals. Although it was strange at first, he soon learned their ways and found comfort and acceptance among his own kind. He realized that it was in the nature of jackals to be crafty and sly, and it was in the nature of lions to be strong and proud.

And so, the jackal lived out his days among his fellow jackals, always remembering the lion family that had taken him in, but also realizing that it was best to be with his own kind.

Once upon a far-off time in a savanna—no ordinary one, mind you, but one where the lions basically thought they were the kings of everything—there was a lion family. And one day, Mr. and Mrs. Lion found a shivery, tiny jackal pup.

"Aw, look, isn't he adorable?" said Mrs. Lion.

"Adorable? He's like a fuzzy puzzle piece that doesn't fit in our family jigsaw!" chuckled Mr. Lion.

They decided to bring him home. Why? Because lions are big softies when no one is looking. They raised the jackal right beside their own cubs.

As the youngsters grew, it became clear that they were as different as night and day, or pie and ice cream. The lion cubs grew brawny and bold, flexing muscles they didn't even know they had. Meanwhile, the jackal was sharp, nimble, and always seemed to have a trick up his paw.

One day, the lions started grumbling like your tummy when you've missed lunch. They felt upstaged. "This family's not a circus!" they said.

Feeling a bit left out, the jackal said, "Alright, time for some entertainment!" He put on his 'I'm so innocent' face, which, let's face it, he'd been practicing for a while. "Hey, wanna go on an adventure to find treasure? It'll be super fun!"

Eager for some excitement, the lion cubs followed the jackal into a super dark cave. Now, what they didn't know was this cave was also the snooze spot for Mr. Bear, who did NOT like to be woken up.

With a roar that sounded like a trumpet at a surprise party, the bear shouted, "Who's making all this noise?!"

The lion cubs sprinted out of the cave so fast you'd think they had rockets on their paws.

Just then, Mama and Papa Lion showed up, looking all regal and mighty. "What's all this fuss about?" Papa Lion growled.

Realizing the jackal had led their cubs into danger, Mama Lion said, "Young man, I think it's time you find a different crew."

Feeling like he'd lost a game he didn't even know he was playing, the jackal wandered away. His heart was as heavy as a backpack filled with rocks. Eventually, he found a pack of other jackals, who said, "Hey there, buddy! Come join the fun!"

At first, things felt strange, but soon the jackal found he fit right in. These jackals were crafty just like him! He did miss the lion family but knew deep down that sometimes, you've got to dance to your own music.

And so, our clever little jackal found his very own stage in the grand theater of life.

Upon a golden savanna, bright and free,
A lion pair found a pup, under a tree.
Jackal young, cold, and all alone,
They made him part of their very own.

With lion cubs, he laughed, played, and grew,
The lions roared, while the jackal knew
How to be quick, and very sly,
In their happy home, under the sky.

But as they grew, some change took its toll,
Lions felt mighty, jackal had a different role.
Lions pushed him out, didn't want him near,
For in their games, he was the one to cheer.

Feeling hurt, Jackal thought of a plan,
To a dark cave, he led the clan.
"Treasures inside!" he told them with glee,
But inside was a bear, as big as can be.

Lions cried out, the bear did roar,
Parents arrived, oh what a chore!
Seeing the trick, to Jackal they said,
"Find your own kind, go on, go ahead."

Away Jackal went, a tear in his eye,
Found his pack under the open sky.
He learned their ways, it felt so fine,
In the world of jackals, where he could shine.

Quick and sly, was how Jackal played,
Strong and proud, was the lions' way.
Though he missed the lions, in his heart he knew,
With his own kind, he truly grew.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Lion couple decided to take care of the little Jackal?
  2. How do you think the Jackal felt when the Lion cubs started treating him differently?
  3. The Jackal used his cleverness to lead the Lion cubs into danger. Why do you think he did that, and was it the right thing to do?
  4. The Lion parents told the Jackal to return to his own kind after he tricked their cubs. What lesson do you think they were trying to teach the Jackal?
  5. What does this story teach us about the importance of understanding and accepting who we are?

Fable Quotes

Identity is the melody of the heart that resonates with the tune of our kind.
Bloom where you are planted; embrace your true nature.
Change is life's only constant; adapt to thrive, not just to survive.
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