Tortoise Hunting Ostriches

The Tortoises devised a clever plan to hunt Ostriches by forming rows and forcing them to flee through the middle. While staying still and calling to each other, the Ostriches, confused by the calls, ran until they exhausted themselves and collapsed. The Tortoises then gathered where the Ostriches fell and feasted on them.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The tortoises employ a clever strategy to hunt the ostriches by positioning themselves strategically and using calls to confuse and exhaust the birds.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts a lesson on the effectiveness of intelligence and strategy over brute strength.

Community and Isolation: The tortoises work collectively to achieve their goal, emphasizing the strength found in unity.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

One day, it is said, the Tortoises held a council how they might hunt Ostriches, and they said, “Let us, on both sides, stand in rows near each other, and let one go to hunt the Ostriches, so that they must flee along through the midst of us.” They did so, and as they were many, the Ostriches were obliged to run along through the midst of them. During this they did not move, but, remaining always in the same places, called each to the other, “Are you there?” and each one answered, “I am here.” The Ostriches hearing this, ran so tremendously that they quite exhausted their strength, and fell down. Then the Tortoises assembled by-and-by at the place where the Ostriches had fallen, and devoured them.

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Elephant and Tortoise

Elephant and Rain dispute their importance, leading to Rain leaving. With water scarce, Elephant assigns Tortoise to guard the last lagoon. Various animals ask for water, but Tortoise refuses, citing Elephant’s ownership. Lion forces Tortoise and drinks, enabling all animals to drink. Elephant returns, swallows Tortoise in anger, but Tortoise destroys his organs from within, killing Elephant and emerging unharmed.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Conflict with Nature: The initial dispute between Elephant and Rain highlights the tension between living beings and natural forces, emphasizing the dependence of creatures on environmental elements.

Sacrifice: Tortoise risks his own life by allowing himself to be swallowed by Elephant, a self-endangering act that ultimately leads to the liberation of water resources for all animals.

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts lessons on the importance of resource sharing and the perils of hoarding essential commodities, illustrating that communal well-being surpasses individual ownership.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Two powers, Elephant and Rain, had a dispute. Elephant said, “If you say that you nourish me, in what way is it that you say so?” Rain answered, “If you say that I do not nourish you, when I go away, will you not die?” And Rain then departed.

Elephant said, “Vulture! cast lots to make rain for me.” Vulture said, “I will not cast lots.” Then Elephant said to Crow, “Cast lots!” who answered, “Give the things with which I may cast lots.” Crow cast lots and rain fell. It rained at the lagoons, but they dried up, and only one lagoon remained.

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Elephant went a-hunting. There was, however, Tortoise, to whom Elephant said, “Tortoise, remain at the water!” Thus Tortoise was left behind when Elephant went a-hunting.

There came Giraffe, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Zebra, who said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Gemsbok, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Wildebeest, and said, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Roodebok, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise answered, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Springbok, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Jackal, and said to Tortoise, “Give me water!” Tortoise said, “The water belongs to Elephant.”

There came Lion, and said, “Little Tortoise, give me water!” When little Tortoise was about to say something, Lion got hold of him and beat him; Lion drank of the water, and since then the animals drink water.

When Elephant came back from the hunting, he said, “Little Tortoise, is there water?” Tortoise answered, “The animals have drunk the water.” Elephant asked, “Little Tortoise, shall I chew you or swallow you down?” Little Tortoise said, “Swallow me, if you please!” and Elephant swallowed him whole.

After Elephant had swallowed Little Tortoise, and he had entered his body, he tore off his liver, heart, and kidneys. Elephant said, “Little Tortoise, you kill me.”

So Elephant died; but little Tortoise came out of his dead body, and went wherever he liked.

Another version

Giraffe and Tortoise, they say, met one day. Giraffe said to Tortoise, “At once I could trample you to death.” Tortoise, being afraid, remained silent. Then Giraffe said, “At once I could swallow you.” Tortoise said, in answer to this, “Well, I just belong to the family of those whom it has always been customary to swallow.” Then Giraffe swallowed Tortoise; but when the latter was being gulped down, he stuck in Giraffe’s throat, and as the latter could not get it down, he was choked to death.

When Giraffe was dead, Tortoise crawled out and went to Crab (who is considered as the mother of Tortoise), and told her what had happened. Then Crab said:

“The little Crab! I could sprinkle it under its arm with Boochoo,
[in token of approval, according to a Hottentot custom]
The crooked-legged little one, I could sprinkle under its arm.”

Tortoise answered its mother and said:

“Have you not always sprinkled me,
That you want to sprinkle me now?”

Then they went and fed for a whole year on the remains of Giraffe.

Cock and Jackal

A cunning Cock, captured by Jackal, tricks him by suggesting prayer before being eaten, mimicking the white man. Cock instructs Jackal to fold his hands and close his eyes while praying. Seizing the moment, Cock escapes, mocking Jackal’s attempt to pray. Jackal, outwitted, sits speechless, realizing he has been cleverly deceived.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The cock deceives the jackal to secure his freedom.

Moral Lessons: The story teaches the value of cleverness and the potential folly of blind imitation.

Illusion vs. Reality: The jackal is misled by the cock’s suggestion, confusing appearance with truth.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Cock, it is said, was once overtaken by Jackal, and caught. Cock said to Jackal, “Please, pray first (before you kill me), as the white man does.” Jackal asked, “In what manner does he pray? Tell me.” – “He folds his hands in praying,” said Cock. Jackal folded his hands and prayed. Then Cock spoke again: “You ought not to look about you as you do. You had better shut your eyes.” He did so; and Cock flew away, upbraiding at the same time Jackal with these words, “You rogue! do you also pray?”

There sat Jackal, speechless, because he had been outdone.

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Jackal, Dove, and Heron

A jackal demanded dove chicks, threatening to fly if refused. The dove, believing him, reluctantly surrendered her young. Heron advised the dove that jackals cannot fly and to resist further demands. When the jackal learned of Heron’s guidance, he deceived and attacked Heron, breaking his neck. This tale explains why herons have bent necks and highlights gullibility’s consequences.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The jackal employs deceit, threatening to fly to coerce the dove into surrendering her chicks.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts lessons on gullibility and the consequences of naivety.

Origin of Things: The story provides an etiological explanation for the heron’s bent neck.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Jackal, it is said, came once to Dove, who lived on the top of a rock, and said, “Give me one of your little ones.” Dove answered, “I shall not do anything of the kind.”

Jackal said, “Give me it at once! Otherwise, I shall fly up to you.” Then she threw one down to him.

He came back another day and demanded another little one, and she gave it to him. After Jackal had gone, Heron came, and asked, “Dove, why do you cry?”

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Dove answered him, “Jackal has taken away my little ones; it is for this that I cry.” He asked her, “In what manner did he take them?” She answered him, “When he asked me I refused him; but when he said, ‘I shall at once fly up, therefore give me it,’ I threw it down to him.”

Heron said, “Are you such a fool as to give your young ones to Jackal, who cannot fly?” Then, with the admonition to give no more, he went away.

Jackal came again, and said, “Dove, give me a little one.” Dove refused, and told him that Heron had told her that he could not fly up. Jackal said, “I shall catch him.”

So when Heron came to the banks of the water, Jackal asked him: “Brother Heron, when the wind comes from this side, how will you stand?” He turned his neck towards him and said, “I stand thus, bending my neck on one side.” Jackal asked him again, “When a storm comes and when it rains, how do you stand?” He said to him: “I stand thus, indeed, bending my neck down.”

Then Jackal beat him on his neck, and broke his neck in the middle.

Since that day Heron’s neck is bent.

Lion’s Illness

When Lion fell ill, Jackal avoided visiting, noticing no visitors returned. Hyena accused him of neglect, prompting Lion to summon Jackal. Jackal explained he sought a witch doctor’s remedy: wearing Hyena’s freshly removed skin. Lion, believing this, captured Hyena, skinned her while she howled, and wore the warm hide, sparing Jackal and turning Hyena’s accusation against her.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: Jackal uses cleverness to avoid harm by deceiving Lion into targeting Hyena instead.

Revenge and Justice: Hyena’s false accusation leads to her punishment, serving as a form of poetic justice.

Moral Lessons: The tale imparts lessons about the consequences of deceit and false accusations.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Lion, it is said, was ill, and they all went to see him in his suffering. But Jackal did not go, because the traces of the people who went to see him did not turn back. Thereupon, he was accused by Hyena, who said, “Though I go to look, yet Jackal does not want to come and look at the man’s sufferings.”

Then Lion let Hyena go, in order that she might catch Jackal; and she did so, and brought him.

Lion asked Jackal: “Why did you not come here to see me?”

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Jackal said, “Oh, no! when I heard that my uncle was so very ill, I went to the witch (doctor) to consult him, whether and what medicine would be good for my uncle against the pain. The doctor said to me, ‘Go and tell your uncle to take hold of Hyena and draw off her skin, and put it on while it is still warm. Then he will recover.’ Hyena is one who does not care for my uncle’s sufferings.”

Lion followed his advice, got hold of Hyena, drew the skin over her ears, whilst she howled with all her might, and put it on.

Cloud Eating

Jackal and Hyena discovered a cloud they could eat like fat. Jackal descended safely with Hyena’s help but betrayed her when it was her turn. Pretending to be injured, he moved aside, causing Hyena to fall and injure herself. The story explains why, according to legend, Hyena’s hind legs are shorter than her front ones.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The Jackal embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning to deceive the Hyena.

Origin of Things: The tale explains the physical characteristic of the Hyena’s shorter hind legs as a result of the Jackal’s trickery.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts a lesson on the consequences of betrayal and the importance of trust.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Jackal and Hyena were together, it is said, when a white cloud rose. Jackal descended upon it, and ate of the cloud as if it were fat. When he wanted to come down, he said to Hyena, “My sister, as I am going to divide with thee, catch me well.” So she caught him, and broke his fall. Then she also went up and ate there, high up on the top of the cloud.

When she was satisfied, she said, “My greyish brother, now catch me well.” The greyish rogue said to his friend, “My sister, I shall catch thee well. Come therefore down.”

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He held up his hands, and she came down from the cloud, and when she was near, Jackal cried out (painfully jumping to one side), “My sister, do not take it ill. Oh me! Oh me! A thorn has pricked me and sticks in me.” Thus she fell down from above, and was sadly hurt.

Since that day, it is said that Hyena’s hind feet have been shorter and smaller than the front ones.

The White Man and Snake

A White Man saves a trapped Snake under a stone, but Snake tries to bite him in return. Seeking justice, they consult Hyena, who sides with Snake, and Jackal, who demands proof. Recreating the scene, Jackal ensures Snake is re-trapped under the stone, advising the White Man not to help again, teaching a lesson about gratitude and consequences.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Moral Lessons: The narrative imparts a lesson about the consequences of helping others without discernment, highlighting the potential ingratitude and danger that may follow.

Trickster: The Jackal serves as the trickster figure, using intelligence and cunning to achieve a favorable outcome.

Conflict with Nature: The story depicts a direct conflict between man and a natural creature, emphasizing the unpredictable and sometimes perilous interactions between humans and animals.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

A white man, it is said, met Snake upon whom a large stone had fallen and covered her so that she could not rise. The White Man lifted the stone off Snake, but when he had done so, she wanted to bite him. The White Man said, “Stop! let us both go first to some wise people.” They went to Hyena, and the White Man asked him, “Is it right that Snake should want to bite me, when I helped her as she lay under a stone and could not rise?” Hyena (who thought he would get his share of the White Man’s body) said, “If you were bitten what would it matter?”

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Then Snake wanted to bite him, but the White Man said again, “Wait a little, and let us go to other wise people, that I may hear whether this is right.”

They went and met Jackal. The White Man said to Jackal, “Is it right for Snake to want to bite me, when I lifted up the stone which lay upon her?”

Jackal replied, “I do not believe that Snake could be covered by a stone so she could not rise. Unless I saw it with my two eyes, I would not believe it. Therefore, come let us go and see the place where you say it happened whether it can be true.”

They went, and arrived at the place where it had happened. Jackal said, “Snake, lie down, and let thyself be covered.”

Snake did so, and the White Man covered her with the stone; but although she exerted herself very much, she could not rise. Then the White Man wanted again to release Snake, but Jackal interfered, and said, “Do not lift the stone. She wanted to bite you, therefore she may rise by herself.”

Then they both went away and left Snake under the stone.

Another version

A Dutchman was walking by himself and saw Snake lying under a large stone. Snake implored his help; but when she had become free she said, “Now I shall eat you.”

The Man answered, “That is not right. Let us first go to Hare.”

When Hare had heard the affair, he said, “It is right.”

“No,” said the Man, “let us ask Hyena.”

Hyena declared the same, saying, “It is right.”

“Now let us ask Jackal,” said the Man in his despair.

Jackal answered very slowly and considerately, doubting the whole affair, and demanding to see first the place, and whether the Man was able to lift the stone. Snake lay down, and the Man, to prove the truth of his account, put the stone again over her.

When she was fast, Jackal said, “Now let her lie there.”

The Story of Hare

In a tale of wit and consequence, animals appoint guards to protect communal fat from the cunning inkalimeva, a mythical creature. Each guard fails, tricked or overpowered, until the clever hare outsmarts and kills the inkalimeva. Despite his success, the hare’s greed for the creature’s tail leads to conflict with the other animals, forcing him to flee and embark on mischievous adventures.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Cunning and Deception: The narrative highlights the use of cleverness and deceit, both by the inkalimeva in deceiving the initial guards and by the hare in ultimately defeating it.

Moral Lessons: The story imparts lessons about vigilance, the consequences of greed, and the importance of communal responsibility.

Trials and Tribulations: The animals face a series of challenges in protecting their resources, culminating in the hare’s successful yet morally complex resolution.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Once upon a time the animals made a kraal and put some fat in it. They agreed that one of their number should remain to be the keeper of the gate. The first one that was appointed was the coney (imbila). He agreed to take charge, and all the others went away. In a short time the coney fell asleep, when the inkalimeva (a fabulous animal) went in and ate all the fat. After doing this, he threw a little stone at the coney. The coney started up and cried out: “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

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It repeated this cry several times, calling out very loudly. The animals at a distance heard it, they ran to the kraal, and when they saw that the fat was gone they killed the coney.

They put fat in the kraal a second time, and appointed the muishond (ingaga) to keep the gate. The muishond consented, and the animals went away as before. After a little time the inkalimeva came to the kraal, bringing some honey with it. It invited the keeper of the gate to eat honey, and while the muishond was enjoying himself the inkalimeva went in and stole all the fat. It threw a stone at the muishond, which caused him to look up.

The muishond cried out: “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

As soon as the animals heard the cry, they ran to the kraal and killed the muishond.

They put fat in the kraal a third time, and appointed the duiker (impunzi) to be the keeper of the gate. The duiker agreed, and the others went away. In a short time the inkalimeva made its appearance. It proposed to the duiker that they should play hide and look for. The duiker agreed to this. Then the inkalimeva hid itself, and the duiker looked for it till he was so tired that he lay down and went to sleep. When the duiker was asleep, the inkalimeva ate up all the fat.

Then it threw a stone at the duiker, which caused him to jump up and cry out: “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

The animals, when they heard the cry, ran to the kraal and killed the duiker.

They put fat in the kraal the fourth time, and appointed the bluebuck (inputi) to be the keeper of the gate. When the animals went away, the inkalimeva came as before.

It said: “What are you doing by yourself?”

The bluebuck answered: “I am watching the fat belonging to all the animals.”

The inkalimeva said: “I will be your companion. Come, let us scratch each other’s heads.”

The bluebuck agreed to this. The inkalimeva sat down and scratched the head of the other till he went to sleep. Then it arose and ate all the fat. When it had finished, it threw a stone at the bluebuck and awakened him.

The bluebuck saw what had happened and cried out: “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

Then the animals ran up and killed the bluebuck also.

They put fat in the kraal the fifth time, and appointed the porcupine (incanda) to be the keeper of the gate. The animals went away, and the inkalimeva came as before.

It said to the porcupine, “Let us run a race against each other.”

It let the porcupine beat in this race.

Then it said, “I did not think you could run so fast, but let us try again.” They ran again, and it allowed the porcupine to beat the second time. They ran till the porcupine was so tired that he said, “Let us rest now.”

They sat down to rest, and the porcupine went to sleep. Then the inkalimeva rose up and ate all the fat. When it had finished eating, it threw a stone at the porcupine, which caused him to jump up.

He called out with a loud voice, “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

Then the animals came running up and put the porcupine to death.

They put fat in the kraal the sixth time, and selected the hare (umvundla) to be the keeper of the gate. At first the hare would not consent.

He said, “The coney is dead, and the muishond is dead, and the duiker is dead, and the bluebuck is dead, and the porcupine is dead, and you will kill me also.”

They promised him that they would not kill him, and after a good deal of persuasion he at last agreed to keep the gate. When the animals were gone he laid himself down, but he only pretended to be asleep.

In a short time the inkalimeva went in, and was just going to take the fat when the hare cried out: “Let the fat alone.”

The inkalimeva said, “Please let me have this little bit only.”

The hare answered, mocking, “Please let me have this little bit only.”

After that they became companions. The hare proposed that they should fasten each other’s tail, and the inkalimeva agreed. The inkalimeva fastened the tail of the hare first.

The hare said, “Don’t tie my tail so tight.”

Then the hare fastened the tail of the inkalimeva.

The inkalimeva said, “Don’t tie my tail so tight,” but the hare made no answer. After tying the tail of the inkalimeva very fast, the hare took his club and killed it. The hare took the tail of the inkalimeva and ate it, all except a little piece which he hid in the fence.

Then he called out, “The fat belonging to all the animals has been eaten by the inkalimeva.”

The animals came running back, and when they saw that the inkalimeva was dead they rejoiced greatly. They asked the hare for the tail, which should be kept for the chief.

The hare replied, “The one I killed had no tail.”

They said, “How can an inkalimeva be without a tail?”

They began to search, and at length they found a piece of the tail in the fence. They told the chief that the hare had eaten the tail.

He said, “Bring him to me!”

All the animals ran after the hare, but he fled, and they could not catch him. The hare ran into a hole, at the mouth of which the animals set a snare, and then went away. The hare remained in the hole for many days, but at length he managed to get out without being caught.

He went to a place where he found a bushbuck (imbabala) building a hut. There was a pot with meat in it on the fire.

He said to the bushbuck, “Can I take this little piece of meat?”

The bushbuck answered, “You must not do it.”

But he took the meat and ate it all. Afterwards he whistled in a particular manner, and there fell a storm of hail which killed the bushbuck. Then he took the skin of the bushbuck, and made for himself a mantle.

After this the hare went into the forest to procure some weapons to fight with. While he was cutting a stick the monkeys threw leaves upon him. He called to them to come down and beat him. They came down, but he killed them all with his weapons.

Jackal’s Bride

Jackal married Hyena and stole a cow from the ants for their wedding feast. While cooking, Lion tried to join but was tricked and fatally burned by Jackal. When the ants arrived seeking their cow, Jackal fled, leaving Hyena to be beaten. Mistaking them for Jackal, Hyena confronted them but realized the truth too late and fled in panic, narrowly escaping.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: Jackal embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and deceit to achieve his goals, such as stealing a cow from the ants and deceiving Lion.

Good vs. Evil: The story contrasts the malicious actions of Jackal against the more innocent characters, illustrating the classic struggle between malevolent and benevolent forces.

Revenge and Justice: The ants’ pursuit of their stolen cow and the subsequent beating of Hyena reflect themes of retribution and the pursuit of justice for wrongdoings.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Jackal, it is said, married Hyena, and carried off a cow belonging to the ants, to slaughter her for the wedding; and when he had slaughtered her, he put the cowskin over his bride; and when he had fixed a pole (on which to hang the flesh), he placed on the top of the pole (which was forked) the hearth for the cooking, in order to cook upon it all sorts of delicious food. There came also Lion, and wished to go up. Jackal, therefore, asked his little daughter for a thong with which he could pull Lion up; and he began to pull him up; and when his face came near to the cooking-pot, he cut the thong in two, so that Lion tumbled down.

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Then Jackal upbraided his little daughter with these words: “Why do you give me such an old thong?” And he added, “Give me a fresh thong.” She gave him a new thong, and he pulled Lion up again, and when his face came near the pot, which stood on the fire, he said, “open your mouth.” Then he put into his mouth a hot piece of quartz which had been boiled together with the fat, and the stone went down, burning his throat. Thus died Lion.

There came also the ants running after the cow, and when Jackal saw them he fled. Then they beat the bride in her brookaross dress. Hyena, believing that it was Jackal, said:

“You tawny rogue! have you not played at beating long enough? Have you no more loving game than this?”

But when she had bitten a hole through the cowskin, she saw that they were other people; then she fled, falling here and there, yet made her escape.

Lion’s Share

Lion and Jackal hunt together, but Jackal tricks Lion into believing he missed the game. Jackal secretly eats the best portion and manipulates Lion repeatedly, blaming others for his mischief. He deceives Lion into climbing a tower but drops him twice. Finally, Jackal feeds Lion a hot stone disguised as meat and escapes, leaving Lion injured and pleading for water.

Source
South-African Folk Tales
by James A. Honey, M.D.
New York,1910

► Themes of the story

Trickster: The Jackal embodies the trickster archetype, using cunning and deceit to manipulate the Lion for his own benefit.

Conflict with Authority: The Jackal challenges the Lion’s authority, undermining his leadership through subversive actions and manipulation.

Tragic Flaw: The Lion’s gullibility and overtrusting nature serve as his tragic flaws, leading to his repeated exploitation by the Jackal.

► From the same Region or People

South Africa
- Bushmen Lore

Learn more about the Bushmen

Lion and Jackal went together a-hunting. They shot with arrows. Lion shot first, but his arrow fell short of its aim; but Jackal hit the game, and joyfully cried out, “It has hit.”

Lion looked at him with his two large eyes; Jackal, however, did not lose his countenance, but said, “No, uncle, I mean to say that you have hit.” Then they followed the game, and Jackal passed the arrow of Lion without drawing the latter’s attention to it. When they arrived at a crossway, Jackal said: “Dear uncle, you are old and tired; stay here.”

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Jackal went then on a wrong track, beat his nose, and, in returning, let the blood drop from it like traces of game. “I could not find anything,” he said, “but I met with traces of blood. You had better go yourself to look for it. In the meantime I shall go this other way.”

Jackal soon found the killed animal, crept inside of it, and devoured the best portion; but his tail remained outside, and when Lion arrived, he got hold of it, pulled Jackal out, and threw him on the ground with these words: “You rascal!”

Jackal rose quickly again, complained of the rough handling, and asked, “What have I now done, dear uncle? I was busy cutting out the best part.”

“Now let us go and fetch our wives,” said Lion, but Jackal entreated his dear uncle to remain at the place because he was old. Jackal then went away, taking with him two portions of the flesh, one for his own wife, but the best part for the wife of Lion. When Jackal arrived with the flesh, the children of Lion, seeing him, began to jump, and clapping their hands, cried out: “There comes cousin with flesh!” Jackal threw, grumbling, the worst portion to them, and said, “There, you brood of the big-eyed one!” Then he went to his own house and told his wife immediately to break up the house, and to go where the killed game was. Lioness wished to do the same, but he forbade her, and said that Lion would himself come to fetch her.

When Jackal, with his wife and children, arrived in the neighborhood of the killed animal, he ran into a thorn bush, scratched his face so that it bled, and thus made his appearance before Lion, to whom he said, “Ah! what a wife you have got. Look here, how she scratched my face when I told her that she should come with us. You must fetch her yourself; I cannot bring her.” Lion went home very angry. Then Jackal said, “Quick, let us build a tower.” They heaped stone upon stone, stone upon stone, stone upon stone; and when it was high enough, everything was carried to the top of it. When Jackal saw Lion approaching with his wife and children, he cried out to him:

“Uncle, whilst you were away we have built a tower, in order to be better able to see game.”

“All right,” said Lion; “but let me come up to you.”

“Certainly, dear uncle; but how will you manage to come up? We must let down a thong for you.”

Lion tied the thong around his body and Jackal began drawing him up, but when nearly to the top Jackal cried to Lion, “My, uncle, how heavy you are!” Then, unseen by Lion, he cut the thong. Lion fell to the ground, while Jackal began loudly and angrily to scold his wife, and then said, “Go, wife, fetch me a new thong”–“an old one,” he said aside to her.

Lion again tied himself to the thong, and, just as he was near the top, Jackal cut the thong as before; Lion fell heavily to the bottom, groaning aloud, as he had been seriously hurt.

“No,” said Jackal, “that will never do: you must, however, manage to come up high enough so that you may get a mouthful at least.” Then aloud he ordered his wife to prepare a good piece, but aside he told her to make a stone hot, and to cover it with fat. Then he drew Lion up once more, and complaining how heavy he was to hold, told him to open his mouth, and thereupon threw the hot stone down his throat. Lion fell to the ground and lay there pleading for water, while Jackal climbed down and made his escape.