A tiger, trapped in a cage, pleads with a Brahman to be freed, promising loyalty in return. The Brahman, moved by the tiger's desperation, releases him, only to be threatened with being eaten. The tiger agrees to spare the Brahman's life if he can consult three witnesses about the situation. The Brahman first approaches a pipal tree, which dismisses his plight, stating that it provides shade but receives no gratitude in return. Next, he consults a buffalo, who laments being used for milk and then discarded when no longer useful. Finally, he asks a road, which expresses frustration at being trampled by all without receiving anything in return. Disheartened, the Brahman encounters a jackal, who feigns confusion over the story. The jackal insists on returning to the cage to understand the situation better. Upon arrival, the tiger, eager for his meal, grows impatient as the Brahman recounts the tale again. The jackal pretends to struggle with the details, prompting the tiger to lose his temper. In a fit of rage, the tiger jumps back into the cage to demonstrate how he was trapped. Seizing the opportunity, the jackal quickly shuts the door, trapping the tiger once more. The jackal then declares that the situation should remain unchanged, effectively outsmarting the tiger and saving the Brahman. The story concludes with the jackal's cleverness prevailing over the brute strength of the tiger.
By Joseph Jacobs · First published 1895 · Genre: Fable, Folklore, Children's Literature