The Lion and the Cunning Jackal

Once upon a time, deep within the thick, green forests of the wild, there lived a mighty lion named Shera. He was the undisputed king of the jungle. His roar could silence the wind, and his presence could make the bravest of animals tremble. Strong, fierce, and proud, Shera ruled not just with strength, but with fear.

But as time passed, Shera grew older. His strength, though still formidable, began to wane. His hunts weren’t as swift, and his energy wasn’t as boundless. To maintain his position as king without showing weakness, he came up with a clever plan: he would summon all the animals and declare that he would no longer hunt. Instead, the animals would bring him food as a tribute. Anyone who disobeyed would face his wrath.

The animals had no choice but to agree. Every day, one animal would offer itself as prey. It was a painful arrangement, but better than mass destruction. Among the many animals in the jungle was a cunning jackal named Kallu. Small, smart, and sharp-tongued, Kallu watched everything from the shadows. He didn’t like Shera’s plan. “Why should we feed a lazy king?” he would often mutter to himself. But he knew better than to say it out loud.

One day, it was Kallu’s turn to offer himself to the lion. The animals gathered in silence, some weeping, and escorted him halfway to the lion’s cave. But Kallu had no intention of dying that day. He paused by a pond to think. That’s when an idea struck him—a trick that could change everything.

Instead of going straight to the cave, Kallu slowly strolled in the opposite direction. He plucked some feathers from a dead bird, rolled in dust, and bit his own paw to bleed just a little. Then, at sunset, he limped toward the lion’s cave, panting and looking disheveled.

Shera was furious. “You’re late! And you look like a mess. What’s the meaning of this, Jackal?”

Kallu collapsed near the cave entrance and said breathlessly, “Oh mighty Shera, forgive me! I was on my way when another lion attacked me. He roared that he is the true king of the jungle and that you are old and unfit. He said he’ll kill you and take your cave!”

Shera’s eyes flared. “What? Another lion in my jungle? Show me where he is!”

Kallu grinned secretly but kept a serious face. “He lives near the deep well by the mango trees. But he’s strong and young. I only escaped because he was distracted.”

Without thinking, Shera leaped up and growled, “Take me to him. I’ll show him who rules this land!”

Kallu led Shera through winding paths until they reached the old stone well. The sun had set, and the sky was a mix of purple and gold. The jungle was quiet.

“There, my king,” said Kallu, pointing at the well. “He hides down there. He said he would come up at nightfall.”

Shera stomped toward the well and peered inside. The still water reflected his own face. But in his anger, he thought it was the rival lion staring back at him.

“How dare you challenge me!” he roared into the well.

The echo bounced back. “How dare you challenge me!”

Shera growled and raised his voice louder. The echo returned even louder. Enraged beyond control, Shera leaped into the well to attack the "other lion."

But there was no other lion—just water.

With a massive splash, Shera fell deep into the well. He roared, tried to climb, but the walls were slippery, and he was too old and tired. The jungle king had trapped himself.

Kallu watched silently, his face calm.

“You tricked me, Jackal!” Shera roared from the well.

Kallu nodded and replied, “You ruled with fear, not fairness. The jungle deserves a wise leader, not just a strong one.”

The next morning, the animals gathered at the cave. They had expected to mourn Kallu, but instead, they found him alive, with a tale that stunned them all. Word spread quickly about the jackal’s cleverness and courage.

The animals no longer lived in fear. They began to organize themselves, creating a council of elders with Kallu as one of the advisers. Life in the jungle changed. The strong protected the weak, and fairness ruled the land.

As for Shera, no one ever saw him again. Some say he still growls from the bottom of the well, angry at his own reflection.


---

Moral of the Story:
Wisdom can defeat even the strongest of foes. Power without fairness leads to downfall.