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The Jackal's Strategy

There was a wide jackal called Mahachaturaka, who lived in a jungle.
One day, as he was wandering about in the jungle in search of food, he saw a dea
d elephant. He knew that the dead elephant will provide him food for many days.
But his happiness soon turned into frustration, as he was not able to tear the e
lephant's thick skin. He went round and round, trying his luck from all side, bu
t in vain.
As he was still trying to figure out, the jackal saw a lion approaching. He quic
kly bowed, and said, "O King of jungle, I found this dead elephant and was keepi
ng a watch over it so that you can have it. Please be kind to eat to your heart'
s content."
But the lion refused, "I eat a prey only when I hunt it myself. That is my natur
e. Thank you for your offer, but you can have the elephant for yourself"
The lion departed after being thanked by the jackal. But his problem remained. H
e wondered how he can tear apart the elephant's thick skin.
At the very moment he saw a leopard approaching. He thought, "I got rid of the l
ion by being humble, but I have to be cunning in order to get rid of him!"
At once the jackal climbed on top of the elephant and raised his shoulders proud
ly. He said to the jackal, "O Uncle! You have come here to the very jaws of deat
h! This elephant was hunted by the lion. He asked me to guard it and call for hi
m if anybody was to approach it."
The leopard noticed the lions tracks nearby, and believed him. He began to tremb
le in fear. He pleaded, "O Nephew! Please do not tell the lion I was here. I mus
t leave and look for food elsewhere."
With this, the leopard ran away, after assuring the jackal not to tell the lion
that he was here. But his problem remained. He wondered how he can tear apart th
e elephant's thick skin.
Now, he saw a tiger approaching. He thought, "I fooled the leopard, but the tige
r is not a fool. Besides, he has sharp teeth. If I can have him tear the elephan
t's skin, I can finally eat."
He shouted to the tiger, "Hey Tiger, It is a long time since I have seen you. Yo
u look thin and starved. Be my guest. You can eat this lion while I keep a watch
for the lion. He killed the elephant and asked me to look after it till he retu
rned. Eat, and don't worry, I'll keep a watch."
The tiger was convinced by the jackal, and delighted. He at once jumped and tore
apart a big chunk of the elephant's skin. Just as he started eating, the jackal
jumped, "Here comes the lion, quick! Hide or run away. Here he comes."
The tiger ran away as fast as possible.
The jackal was finally ready to eat. The tiger had provided him the opening that
he needed. Just as he was about to eat, another jackal arrived.
He fought with the other jackal bravely, and chased him away.

Thus, he was finally able to eat the elephant.