The fable tells of a mule, jackal, and lion deciding to eat the one with a “bad race.” The mule cleverly delays judgment by seeking advice, tricking the lion into inspecting his spiked shoes and striking him dead. The tale illustrates the cunning triumph of wit over force and warns that associating with deceitful company often leads to betrayal.
Source
Moorish Literature
romantic ballads, tales of the Berbers,
stories of the Kabyles, folk-lore,
and national traditions
The Colonial Press,
London, New York, 1901
► Themes of the story
Cunning and Deception: The mule employs cleverness to deceive the lion, leading to the lion’s downfall.
Conflict with Authority: The mule challenges the lion’s dominance, representing a struggle against an oppressive force.
Good vs. Evil: The narrative contrasts the mule’s cunning (perceived as good) with the lion’s intent to harm (perceived as evil), highlighting the struggle between opposing forces.
► From the same Region or People
Learn more about the Berber peoples
Translated by J. Rivière
and Chauncey C. Starkweather
The mule, the jackal, and the lion went in company. “We will eat the one whose race is bad,” they said to each other.
“Lion, who is your father?”
“My father is a lion and my mother is a lioness.”
“And you, jackal, what is your father?”
“My father is a jackal and my mother, too.”
“And you, mule, what is your father?”
“My father is an ass, and my mother is a mare.”
► Continue reading…
“Your race is bad; we will eat you.”
He answered them: “I will consult an old man. If he says that my race is bad, you may devour me.”
He went to a farrier, and said to him, “Shoe my hind feet, and make the nails stick out well.”
He went back home. He called the camel and showed him his feet, saying: “See what is written on this tablet.”
“The writing is difficult to decipher,” answered the camel. “I do not understand it, for I only know three words–outini, ouzatini, ouazakin.” He called a lion, and said to him: “I do not understand these letters; I only know three words–outini, ouzatini, ouazakin“
“Show it to me,” said the lion. He approached. The mule struck him between the eyes and stretched him out stiff.
He who goes with a knave is betrayed by him.
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Dreamtime Whispers 