The Jackal and the Wolf
ONCE on a time Jackal, who lived on the borders of the colony, saw a wagon returning from the seaside
laden with fish; he tried to get into the wagon from behind, but he could not; he then ran on before and lay in the road as if dead. The wagon came up to him, and the leader cried to the driver,
" Here is a fine kaross for your wife!"
" Throw it into the wagon," said the driver, and Jackal was thrown in.
The wagon traveled on, through a moonlight night, and all the while Jackal was throwing out the fish into the road; he then jumped out himself and secured a great prize. But stupid old Wolf (hyena), coming by, ate more than his share, for which Jackal owed him a grudge, and he said to him,
" You can get plenty of fish, too, if you lie in the way of a wagon as I did, and keep quite still whatever happens."
"So! "mumbled Wolf.
Accordingly, when the next wagon came from the sea, Wolf stretched himself out in the road.
" What ugly thing is this ?" cried the leader, and kicked Wolf. He then took a stick and thrashed him within an inch of his life. Wolf, according to the directions of Jacka], lay quiet as long as he could ; he then got up and hobbled off to tell his misfortune to Jackal, who pretended to comfort him.
" What a pity," said Wolf, " I have not got such a handsome skin as you have !"
