Why Jackal Has a Long Black Stripe on His Back

Why Jackal Has a Long Black Stripe on His Back

Long, long ago, it is told, the Sun found itself on the earth one day.

It was sitting beside a road, small and wonderfully bright. Warmth came from it, but from a distance it might have looked like a strange little child left alone in the middle of the way.

People passed along the road. They hurried about their business, talked among themselves, and went by the Sun one after another.

No one stopped.

A little later, Jackal came running along the same road.

He was about to race past, but suddenly saw the small figure beside the path and slowed down.

“Who is sitting here all alone?” Jackal wondered.

He came closer.

“What a lovely little child,” he said. “And why have the travellers left you by the road?”

The Sun said nothing.

Jackal looked around. The people were already far away.

“Well then,” he decided. “I will not leave you here by yourself. Come with me.”

Jackal carried a leather cloak-bag on his back. He carefully lifted the Sun, settled it behind his shoulders, and went on.

At first all was well.

Jackal trotted along lightly and was even pleased with himself.

“You see,” he said, “you are not alone now. Soon we shall find someone who will care for you.”

But after a few steps, he felt his back growing warmer.

A few more steps, and it grew hotter.

Jackal slowed down.

“Strange,” he muttered. “The day is sunny already, but why is my back burning so?”

He took a few more steps.

The warmth became stronger still.

Jackal jumped in place and tried to adjust his burden.

“Oh! Listen, little passenger, you seem much too hot. Perhaps you should climb down?”

But the Sun did not move.

Jackal shook his shoulders.

“Please get down!”

The Sun held on tightly.

Jackal spun around, trying to reach his back with a paw. Then he shook his whole body. Then he leaped once, twice, three times.

But the more he twisted, the hotter he felt.

“Oh dear!” cried Jackal. “Now I understand! You are not an ordinary child at all!”

He gave himself one more great shake.

At last the Sun let go.

Jackal sprang aside and quickly looked at his back. Of course, he could not see it properly himself, but he felt that a hot trace remained along his fur.

Later the fur in that place grew dark, almost black, as though someone had drawn a long line down his back with charcoal.

Jackal shook himself gently and said, “I meant to help, and I was carrying the Sun on my back! That does not happen every day.”

He was no longer angry. In fact, he was a little proud. Not everyone can say that they once carried the Sun on their own back.

And the black stripe stayed with him forever.

So, says the old tale, jackals have worn a dark mark along their backs ever since: a reminder of the day when one Jackal stopped beside the road because he did not wish to pass by someone who seemed to have been left alone.

May this story leave a little light in your heart ✨