Instead the crafty Jackal went to his own family who carried the eland back to his house. The Jackal and his family had a fine feast.

Meanwhile the Lion had finished his hunting having found no more game. When he returned home proud of his achievement, he asked "What did you think of that fine eland that I killed?" "What eland! I have not seen any food at all!", his wife snarled. Startled, the Lion asked if the Jackal had come to tell them to carry the eland home. "I have not seen the Jackal at all today." was the reply.

Furious, the Lion stormed over to the Jackal's house and waited by the pond, to ambush him. A while later the Jackal, with full belly, came down to drink. The Lion pounced! Alas the Jackal was too quick and dived down an empty burrow amongst the roots of a large tree. The Lion grabbed the Jackal's leg which was sticking out. "Now I have you!" growled the Lion. "No you haven't!" laughed the Jackal, "That is not my leg. That is a tree root." "Why don't you find a rock and hit it? If it is my leg it will bleed."

The instant the Lion turned his back to find a stone, the Jackal dashed out and climbed a rope made of mouse skins up to his house which was high on a rocky ledge. The Lion tried to follow, not realising that this rope was made for small animals. He reached halfway before it broke.

The Lion has never forgiven the Jackal for his bruised pride, and the Jackal is forever wary, staying well away from the foolish Lion.