Episode 3 of 5

The Blue Jackal

A jackal turns blue and pretends to be king — until he howls.

One night, a hungry jackal named Chandarava wandered into a town looking for food. The dogs chased him, and he jumped into a big tub of blue dye.
When he climbed out, he was bright blue from nose to tail!
Back in the forest, the animals had never seen a blue animal before. “Who are you?” they asked, trembling.
The jackal had an idea. “The gods have sent me to be your king,” he said proudly. The lions, tigers and elephants bowed and brought him the best food.
The blue jackal became very proud. He sent all the other jackals away, because he did not want them to recognise him.
One evening, the jackals far away began to howl at the moon. The blue jackal felt so happy that he lifted his head and howled too: “Aooo-ooo!”
Now everyone knew he was just a jackal. The animals were angry that they had been fooled, and the blue jackal had to run away from the forest forever.

Moral of the storyYou cannot hide who you really are for long — be honest.

Talk about it: Why did the blue jackal send the other jackals away?

Learn more

Facts, a quiz and words to know

The Panchatantra means "five books" (pancha, five; tantra, treatise). It is traditionally credited to a teacher named Vishnu Sharma.
In the book's opening story, the teacher Vishnu Sharma teaches three princes to be wise and sensible in six months. Scholars think Vishnu Sharma may be a pen name.
The English word indigo comes from India. Indigo is a deep blue dye from plants that was made in India for thousands of years.
Jackals often howl together at dusk and dawn. One jackal starts, and the rest join in, just as in the story.

Talk about it. The jackal pretended to be someone he was not. Why is it better to be ourselves?

Try it. Draw yourself with three things you are good at and three things you love. Share it with someone.

Remember: Be honest and be yourself.

Original retellings and drawings by Rangooo.