The Cunning Jackal and the Innocent Camel
In a dense jungle, there lived a lion named Vajradaunstra, attended by a jackal and a wolf.
One day, a caravan passed through the forest. Among them was a pregnant camel, too weak to walk further. Left behind, she soon fell prey to the lion. While feasting, the lion’s attendants cut open her womb, and out came a newborn camel.
Since they were already full, the lion spared the baby’s life. He took the young camel home and said kindly, “From today, you are under my protection. No harm shall come to you—not even from me. You are free to graze and live without fear.”
The camel grew fond of his new family, often seen happily in the company of the lion, jackal, and wolf.
Some time later, the lion was gravely injured in a fight with an elephant. Unable to hunt, he sent his companions to find food, but they returned empty-handed. Hunger gnawed at them.
The jackal, cunning as ever, thought: “The camel does not belong with us. If he dies, we will have food for days. But I must trick the lion, who swore to protect him.”
He whispered to the camel, “Our master will die of hunger, and so will we. After that, no one will protect you, and you too shall be devoured by strangers. If you sacrifice yourself, you will be rewarded with a grander life in your next birth.”
The innocent camel, grateful to the lion for sparing his life earlier, agreed.
That evening, the jackal told the lion: “O King, the camel wishes to offer himself. If you eat him after worship, he will be reborn with a body twice as strong. It is his own wish.”
The lion, convinced, reluctantly agreed. The jackal leapt upon the camel and killed him instantly. Before eating, the lion went to bathe and pray, leaving the carcass under the jackal and wolf’s guard.
Greedy, the jackal tricked the wolf into tasting the meat. When the lion returned, he saw the food was touched. Furious, he attacked the wolf, who fled in fear, never to return.
Soon after, a caravan of camels approached, their bells jingling loudly. Alarmed, the lion asked what the noise was. The jackal, quick to deceive, said: “O Master, it is Yama, the God of Death, leading the camels’ ancestors to avenge the young one you killed. Run before they destroy you!”
Terrified, the lion fled and never came back.
Left alone, the jackal devoured the camel’s flesh in peace, which lasted him many days.
Moral of the Story:
Beware of wicked company—treachery and deceit always lead to ruin. Spurn the company of the wicked; else you will come to grief.