Reading Notes: Week 2 Anthology

The Story I picked for the week's reading is of a cunning Jackal. It taunts people that don't give a second thought before helping people. In this story, a poor Brahmin makes the mistake of letting a Tiger out of the cage after it promises to not hurt him. When the Tiger is let out, it threatens to eat the man. He pleads to others around- a tree, a buffalo and the road (odd choice). They tell him not to complain and imply that the world isn't fair to them either. It is a social commentary of sorts. Out of no where in the story, a Jackal appears and turns things around. It acts goofy around the Brahman and the Tiger and pretends to not understand the situation.The Tiger eventually gets frustrated and gets in the cage to demonstrate what had happened. The Jackal closes the cage and has the last laugh. I loved this story because I have seen people get stuck in situations while trying to help. Always remember to cover your bases!

Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs by John D. Batten (1912)

Bengal Tiger in the Western Ghats

*a picture of a wild Bengal Tiger near my hometown in India ( Fun fact: The forests around my hometown have the highest density of Tigers in the wild right now )