Indian Fairy Tales · Chapter
The Tiger, the Brahman, and the Jackal explained
A Brahman frees a tiger from a trap, but the tiger immediately threatens to eat him.
What happens
A Brahman frees a tiger from a trap, but the tiger immediately threatens to eat him. The Brahman appeals to a pipal tree, a buffalo, and a road, all of which argue that ingratitude is natural. A clever jackal then tricks the tiger back into the cage, saving the Brahman.
Themes in this chapter
Gratitude and Ingratitude
The tiger's ingratitude after being freed contrasts with the Brahman's initial kindness, and the pipal tree, buffalo, and road all argue that ingratitude is common in the world.
Cunning and Wisdom
The jackal uses clever deception and feigned confusion to outwit the tiger and restore justice.
Characters to notice
- The Jackal
The clever jackal outwits the tiger by feigning confusion and tricking it back into the cage.
- Harisarman
The Brahman who frees the tiger and later seeks justice.
- The Lion
The tiger that is freed from the cage but then ungratefully tries to eat the Brahman.
Key passages
“Let me out of this cage, oh pious one!”
Please release me from this trap, kind holy man.
The tiger's plea to the Brahman for freedom.
“What a fool you are! What is to prevent my eating you now, for after being cooped up so long I am just terribly hungry!”
You are foolish to trust me; I am starving and will eat you.
The tiger's immediate betrayal after being freed.
“Perfectly! grinned the jackal, as he dexterously shut the door, 'and if you will permit me to say so, I think matters will remain as they were!'”
The jackal smiled and quickly locked the cage, suggesting that the situation should stay as it originally was.
The jackal's triumphant trick that restores the tiger to captivity.