The Study of Self Discipline

A very old tiger stalked the forest hungrily searching for his next meal. His age had made it difficult for him to hunt and he had not eaten in several days, because his younger prey always managed to escape him. Now he crept along the forest looking for an easy meal that would not require him to use any more of his fast diminishing energy. Finally he came upon a rock sitting in an open glad, and upon that rock was Jackal, napping peacefully in the sun. Tiger saw his opportunity and crept through the tall grasses toward Jackal, silently he went. Positioning himself where he could not miss, Tiger leapt from the grasses with a mighty roar and pinned Jackal beneath his paws. Jackal awoke with a startled yelp, and found himself under the paws of mighty Tiger, facing certain death. Jackal knew he was an instant from death, and had to buy himself some time.

“Wait! Oh Lord Tiger, wait! Before you kill me please answer a question.” Jackal cried, hoping Tiger’s curiosity would get the best of him.

Tiger was annoyed, but was curious enough to hear Jackal’s question. “Very well Jackal, but make it quick, for I haven’t eaten in several days and my stomach growls with hunger!”

With this new piece of information Jackal quickly thought of a plan. “Haven’t eaten in many days!? Lord Tiger, are you telling me you haven’t heard of the great elephant that died nearby? Whose meat lies unattended but a short way from here?”

Tiger growled, “No, what elephant?”

“Why, a larger meal than any I would provide oh Lord of these forests! The great elephant's girth was a stuff of legend, and enough to feed you for a months to come.” Whined the Jackal.

Tiger paused, as hungry as he was he knew that he needed to think of his next meal. Seeing Tiger’s thoughtful look, Jackal quickly went on. “Lord Tiger, you may eat me if you please but I am skin and bone, not at all appetizing and certainly not very filling. If you eat me how long before you must seek another meal?”

Tiger looked at Jackal, and it was true Jackal was mostly skin and bone, he would be sufficient for a half meal but then Tiger would again have to find more food.
“If you but give me a chance, I can lead you straight to the dead elephant, and you’ll be well fed for days!” Jackal begged.

Tiger thought of this for a moment and realized he could not give up such an opportunity, the meat from a dead elephant would last him for days. Anyway, if Jackal were lying or even if he was telling the truth, then Tiger could still eat him. “Very well Jackal, lead me to the Elephant, but don’t try to escape or any of your tricks or I’ll kill you before you take two steps.”

“Of course, my lord, of course; I’ll lead you to the Elephant and nothing else.” Whined Jackal.

Tiger released Jackal, and the latter moved off into the forest with Tiger following close behind. The odd pair traveled some distance, past streams full of fish and glades full of game, but did not stop. After several hours until they reached a disturbed part of the forest with a very large and very dead elephant in it. A few buzzards were pecking at the meal, but flew off as Tiger and Jackal approached.
Now Jackal knew that he was still in danger, for the Tiger could still kill him and have both the Jackal and elephant for a meal. So Jackal said “You see my lord, here is the elephant has promised. There is only the problem of eating him before the others come!”
“What others?” Asked Tiger, wearily.

“This elephant has been dead for a full day and you saw the buzzards that flew way. Those buzzards are a talkative lot, I am sure they already told every other creature of the forest about this delicious meal that awaits. Who knows how many other tigers, and wild dogs, and other creatures will be making their way here!”

Tiger looked worried, in his weakened state and old age it was very unlikely he could hold off all the hungry creatures of the forest. Perhaps a few but not all.

Seeing the worried look come upon Tigers face, Jackal suggested a plan “My lord, you need to eat as much of the Elephant as you are able, as quickly as possible. With your great big jaw and ravenous hunger, certainly it would be easy for you to finish most the elephant before anyone else came!”

Tiger thought carefully of this, it was true that he was hungry, and he had been known to eat whole rabbits and dogs with a single bite.

Jackal encouraged him, “But you must hurry for I can already hear the other creatures of the forest approach.”

With that the Tiger leapt upon the Elephants carcass and tried to eat a whole leg in one bite. He promptly choked on the leg and died.

The Jackal seeing his captor dead, proceed to eat the elephant at his leisure, taking small bits and chewing well. Heaving had his fill, he returned to his rock to sun himself, leaving the remains of the Tiger and elephant for any other creatures who were hungry.