“Jackal Outsmarts Lion: A Rwandan Trickster Tale”
When Lion and Jackal go hunting together, only one arrow finds its mark—but claiming credit becomes a dangerous game. What begins as a simple hunting partnership quickly devolves into an escalating battle of wits, as the cunning Jackal must use every trick in his repertoire to survive his partnership with the powerful, proud, and increasingly suspicious Lion.
From stolen kills to bleeding noses, from rope-cutting betrayals to a red-hot stone disguised as meat, this fast-paced tale follows Jackal through an elaborate series of deceptions as he attempts to secure the best portions for himself while keeping the fearsome “big-eyed one” at bay. Each lie builds upon the last, each narrow escape leads to a bolder trick, until Jackal must orchestrate his ultimate con just to survive.
This classic trickster story from Rwanda celebrates cleverness over strength and quick thinking over brute force—but also reveals the precarious position of the weak when dealing with the powerful. It’s a tale as old as time: the small outsmarting the mighty, one deception at a time, knowing that a single mistake could mean death.
For anyone who loves stories where brains beat brawn and audacity wins the day.
