Why the Lion Roars and the Jackal Skulks
Xhosa folktale · iintsomi
Kwesukasukela. Long ago, so the old people say, the lion and the jackal were companions who hunted together. The lion was strong but trusting, while the jackal was small but full of schemes. They made a kill together, but when it came time to share the meat, the jackal divided it so cunningly, always finding reasons why the larger share should go to himself, that the lion was left with little. Time and again the jackal cheated his partner, taking the best portions while flattering the lion that he was honouring him. At last the lion discovered the deception and roared in fury, and from that day the two could never trust one another. The lion learned to take his own kill and to roar his power across the veld so that all would know to fear and avoid him, while the jackal learned to keep his distance, slinking at the edges, snatching scraps, and following the lion only to feed on what the great hunter left behind. And so it is to this day: the lion hunts proudly and roars, and the jackal skulks and scavenges in the shadows, for the friendship was broken by greed. Cosu cosu iyaphela.
The lesson: Greed and dishonesty destroy partnership and trust, condemning the cheat to a lesser, furtive life.