The Lion And Jackal 2

: South-african Folk-tales

Lion had now caught a large eland which lay dead on the top of a high

bank. Lion was thirsty and wanted to go and drink water. "Jackal, look

after my eland, I am going to get a drink. Don't you eat any."



"Very well, Uncle Lion."



Lion went to the river and Jackal quietly removed a stone on which Lion

had to step to reach the bank on his return. After that Jackal and his

wife ate heartily of t
e eland. Lion returned, but could not scale the

bank. "Jackal, help me," he shouted.



"Yes, Uncle Lion, I will let down a rope and then you can climb up."



Jackal whispered to his wife, "Give me one of the old, thin hide ropes."

And then aloud he added, "Wife, give me one of the strong, buffalo

ropes, so Uncle Lion won't fall."



His wife gave him an old rotten rope. Jackal and his wife first ate

ravenously of the meat, then gradually let the rope down. Lion seized it

and struggled up. When he neared the brink Jackal gave the rope a jerk.

It broke and down Lion began to roll--rolled the whole way down, and

finally lay at the foot near the river.



Jackal began to beat a dry hide that lay there as he howled, cried, and

shouted: "Wife, why did you give me such a bad rope that caused Uncle

Lion to fall?"



Lion heard the row and roared, "Jackal, stop beating your wife. I will

hurt you if you don't cease. Help me to climb up."



"Uncle Lion, I will give you a rope." Whispering again to his wife,

"Give me one of the old, thin hide ropes," and shouting aloud again,

"Give me a strong, buffalo rope, wife, that will not break again with

Lion."



Jackal gave out the rope, and when Lion had nearly reached the top, he

cut the rope through. Snap! and Lion began to roll to the bottom. Jackal

again beat on the hide and shouted, "Wife, why did you give me such a

rotten rope? Didn't I tell you to give me a strong one?" Lion roared,

"Jackal, stop beating your wife at once. Help me instantly or you will

be sorry."



"Wife," Jackal said aloud, "give me now the strongest rope you have,"

and aside to her, "Give me the worst rope of the lot."



Jackal again let down a rope, but just as Lion reached the top, Jackal

gave a strong tug and broke the rope. Poor old Lion rolled down the side

of the hill and lay there roaring from pain. He had been fatally hurt.



Jackal inquired, "Uncle Lion, have you hurt yourself? Have you much

pain? Wait a while, I am coming directly to help you." Jackal and his

wife slowly walked away.



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