In a place, far far away, lived a jackal. Always hungry, the jackal was always in the lookout for a proper meal. His hunger took him all over the land. Wherever he found food, was home for him. Wandering like this he came across a battlefield. The battle was over for the day. It was evening and the armies had retired. There were many things scattered on the ground. The jackal, seeing an empty field, began sniffing around. Among many things lying there was a drum. The drum was lying near some bushes. Incidentally, that day, there was a strong wind blowing, and this wind was making the branches of the bushes hit against the drum. This was creating a strange noise. Imagine branches of bushes beating drums. And a deserted battlefield. Sounds eerie.
This was a sound that the jackal was unfamiliar with. He got scared and decided to immediately leave the place. He was about to turn back, when he suddenly thought it would be foolish not to see what was causing the sound. At least he could peep from a distance and see what was happening.
He gathered courage and slowly walked towards the source of the sound. When he approached it, he saw what it was. A mere drum. He laughed and went closer. There he found food. Enough to last him for days. This made this jackal very happy. He decided to settle and enjoy the food.
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The jackal finished telling the story to the lion and said - you should not be scared of a strange noise. You need to find out what is causing that.
The lion said - What are you saying? My brave warriors, the tigers, wolves, leopards - they have heard this noise. All are scared. No one wants to be here.
The jackal said - They are scared because you are scared. If you are brave, they will get courage, seeing you.
The lion looked at the jackal and said - So are you telling me that you are brave enough to find out what is causing this noise?
The jackal said - I am brave. I am confident.
The lion said - Good. Go. Find out what it is. Come back and tell me. God bless you.
The jackal took leave of the lion and set forth to find out the source of the noise.
After the jackal had left, the lion started cursing himself.
I am a fool. I have made a big mistake. How could I trust the jackal and tell him about my weakness. Now he will go to my enemy and tell them all this. I will now have to go and hide somewhere. I cannot live like this!
In the meanwhile, the jackal had reached the source of the sound. He himself was scared. He then saw it – a lone bullock standing there, bellowing. Our jackal was very relieved. Oh - it is just a bullock. This is my lucky day. I have the winning cards in my hand. I will talk to the lion, based on the situation, I will either make the bullock his friend or enemy. He went back to the lion.
The lion saw him return.
The lion asked - Did you find out what is causing the sound.
The jackal said - Yes, I did.
The lion said - Come on. You are joking. You are not telling the truth.
the jackal said - Will I lie, in front of you?
The lion said - So how come you were able to escape this strange thing?
The jackal said - Whatever it is, I have the power to make you friends with this. I will make this thing serve you. I can do that.
The lion said - What! You are serious? You can do that?
The jackal said - If one has brains, nothing is impossible.
The lion said - I like you. I will make you an advisor.
Thanking the lion, the jackal ran and went back to the place, where the bullock was and said - Why are you bellowing always? Our king is getting disturbed. He wants to meet you.
The bullock said - Who is this king of yours?
The jackal said, pointing at a direction - He is our king, the lion. He is sitting near the hill you see, along with his courtiers.
The bullock was scared. He said - I can’t face a lion. Look, you seem to be a clever being. Could you help me? Save me so that the lion does not kill me?
The jackal thought for a moment and said - Then wait. Let me talk to the king and then return back to you.
Saying this, the jackal ran back to the lion.
There, he said - Sir, this is an animal. Not an ordinary one. This is the bullock of great Shiva. The bullock told me he had taken a break from his duties and Shiva had granted him leave for some time to eat the grass and play around in the forest.
The lion said - No wonder. So, it is Shiva’s bullock. Makes sense. That is why this bullock can roam around fearlessly in the forest. So, what did you tell him, when he said all this to you?
The jackal said - I told him he was in the forest which had presented to her lion by great goddess Durga herself. I told him he was welcome to stay under the protection of the great lion. He was happy and said he would, only if his life was spared.
The lion said - I am sure I made a good decision by appointing you. Go to him and tell him I will spare his life, as long he spares mine. Go, bring him to me.
The jackal left happy with himself.
He then went to the bullock and said - I have spoken to the lion. He has called you and has agreed to spare your life. Don’t forget all this happened because of me. So, give me proper respect. Else misfortune will be yours like that which happened to the merchant.
What was that? - asked the bullock.
This story focuses on the need to conquer fear through knowledge and the demonstration that cunning is superior to might.
Fear is a product of ignorance. The lion and his courtiers are scared. They are unsure about the unfamiliar sound. Finding out the truth is necessary to survive and dominate.
The Jackal in the battlefield was also scared till he discovered the drum and eventually, food.
If one has brains, nothing is impossible - this needs to be noted.
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