The Elephant and the Jackal: A Story About Using Your Brain – Fable from India

The Elephant and the Jackal

In the heart of a dense, green forest, a group of Jackals roamed together. These Jackals were cunning and resourceful, but they were small in size compared to the other creatures in the forest. Among them was a particularly clever Jackal named Kshudrabuddhi. He was known for his sharp mind and ability to come up with plans that others wouldn't even think of.

For a long time, the Jackals had eyed a giant Elephant named Karphooratilaka, who lived near the center of the forest. The Elephant was massive, with thick gray skin, enormous tusks, and a trunk that could move with incredible strength. Karphooratilaka was the king of his territory, and his size and strength made him nearly invincible to the smaller animals in the forest.

Despite their admiration for the Elephant's power, the Jackals were hungry. They wanted to find a way to feast on Karphooratilaka, but every time they tried to approach him, they were easily thwarted by his size and strength. The Elephant could easily defend himself, and the Jackals realized that they were no match for him in a direct confrontation. But Kshudrabuddhi, with his clever mind, had an idea.

Rather than using strength to defeat the Elephant, Kshudrabuddhi decided to outwit him. He knew that the Elephant was powerful, but even the strongest creatures could be defeated if they were caught in the right situation. So, Kshudrabuddhi devised a plan to lure the Elephant into a trap, one that would take advantage of the Elephant's size and strength in a way that he couldn't escape.

Kshudrabuddhi set out to find the Elephant and put his plan into action. He approached Karphooratilaka and, with a friendly tone, said, "Oh mighty Elephant, I have heard of your greatness. You are the most powerful creature in this forest, and I know that no one could ever challenge you. But there is a place nearby—a swamp, where the mud is thick and the ground soft. Many animals fear it, but I believe you are strong enough to walk through it without any trouble."

The Elephant, flattered by the praise and intrigued by the challenge, agreed to follow Kshudrabuddhi. He thought, "If this small creature believes I am strong enough to conquer this swamp, then I shall show him my power." So, he followed the Jackal through the forest, eager to prove his strength.

As they reached the swamp, the ground began to soften beneath the Elephant's heavy feet. The mud was thick and sticky, and soon, Karphooratilaka found himself sinking deeper and deeper with every step. The more he tried to pull himself out, the more the mud seemed to cling to his massive legs. The Elephant struggled, but his enormous weight made it impossible for him to move freely. Soon, he was completely stuck, unable to free himself.

Kshudrabuddhi, standing on the edge of the swamp, watched with a smile. He had successfully tricked the mighty Elephant into the swamp, where his size and strength became a disadvantage. The Elephant's powerful legs were now trapped in the mud, and no matter how hard he tried, he could not pull himself free.

The Jackal laughed, a triumphant sound that echoed through the trees. He had used his intelligence to outsmart the mighty Elephant. The Jackals, who had been waiting nearby, quickly gathered around the swamp, eager to take advantage of the Elephant's helplessness. With Karphooratilaka stuck in the mud and unable to defend himself, the Jackals now had the opportunity to feast.

However, as the Jackals moved closer, ready to claim their prize, they realized that the true lesson of the day wasn't in their ability to overpower the Elephant but in the cleverness of Kshudrabuddhi's plan. Even though the Jackals were small and weak compared to the mighty Elephant, they had been able to outwit him and turn the tables in their favor.

The Story of The Elephant and the Jackal teaches us that brains can be just as powerful—if not more so—than brawn. Kshudrabuddhi's cleverness allowed him to defeat the much larger and stronger Elephant, proving that intelligence can often outsmart strength. The story emphasizes that even the smallest and weakest creature can accomplish great things when they use their brains wisely.

The moral of the story is that physical power isn't always the key to success. Sometimes, being smart and thinking strategically can make all the difference. This lesson encourages us to value intelligence and resourcefulness, showing that there are many ways to solve problems beyond brute strength.