The Blue Jackal

Once there was a jackal. His name was Fierce-Howl. He lived in a cave near a big city. He was thin and always hungry. One evening his belly grumbled worse than usual. He had to find something to eat. When the sun went down, he crept toward the city.

The streets were quiet and dark. Fierce-Howl sniffed by every house. He was looking for a bite to eat. Then suddenly he heard barking. The city dogs had spotted him. They came rushing with sharp teeth. They barked loud and wild. Poor Fierce-Howl was very scared. He ran as fast as he could.

Fierce-Howl ran into a yard. There lived a dyer who dyed cloth. In the middle of the yard stood a big vat. It was full of blue dye. Fierce-Howl did not see the vat in the dark. Splash! He tumbled right down into the dye. The dogs stopped at the gate. They barked one last time and went home.

When it grew quiet, Fierce-Howl climbed out. He was wet from nose to tail. And he was blue! Blue as a summer sky. He crept out of the city and into the forest. The sun began to rise over the trees. Fierce-Howl looked down at his fur. He had never seen such a blue jackal.

The forest animals caught sight of him. The lion froze. The tiger held his breath. The monkey dropped his fruit. The hare pricked up his ears. 'What kind of animal is that?' they whispered. 'We have never seen anything like it.' They were frightened and ran in all directions. Soon the whole forest was hiding.

Fierce-Howl saw that all the animals were afraid. A funny idea came to him. He sat down on a big stone. He lifted his head high. 'Come here, you animals!' he called. 'Do not be afraid. Indra himself has made me your king. I am the new king of the forest. With me you are all safe.'

The animals peeked out one by one. The lion came first. Then the tiger and the leopard. The monkey climbed down from his tree. The elephant came thumping along. The hare and the deer crept closer. They all bowed their heads. 'Tell us what to do, lord king.' Fierce-Howl smiled to himself.