11. The Jackal and the Dead Elephant

Laura Gibbs · 11. The Jackal and the Dead Elephant

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A jackal found a dead elephant but couldn't chew through the elephant's tough hide.
Then a lion arrived.
Terrified, the jackal said, "I saved the elephant for you!"
"I don't eat what others kill," said the lion. "You may have it."
The lion left, and a leopard arrived.
The jackal shouted, "Hurry! Let's eat the lion's elephant before he returns."
The leopard bit into the elephant, tearing the hide with her sharp teeth and claws.
Then the jackal shrieked, "The lion's coming!"
Fearing the lion, the leopard ran off, leaving the jackal to feast on the whole elephant by himself.

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Inspired by: The Panchatantra, translated by Arthur Ryder.
Notes: It is in Book 4, Story 11. In the original story, the jackal also scares off a tiger and another jackal, but I had to shorten it.