This story is adapted from an Indian folktale.
A merchant was traveling on a dry and dusty road when he spotted a tiger in a locked cage. The sad animal begged, “Have pity on me, and let me out, for I am terribly thirsty.”
He knew that the large, predatory cat might devour him, but the trapped tiger insisted that he was not hungry and only in need of a drink. Feeling compassionate, he slowly opened the door, and the beast pounced, ready to maul its prey.
“What a complete sham! I released you, and this is how you reward me?” yelled the shocked victim, admonishing his attacker.
His adversary retorted, “What did you expect from a ferocious feline?
“Do you acknowledge that the law states we must seek the opinion of six?” the peddler hastily protested. “By custom, we must settle a dispute by consulting six to judge our situation. If all of them say that it is reasonable for you to consume me, I will lay down my life.”
With a flimsy agreement in place, the two continued with urgency along the path until they came to a huge banyan tree. Under the expansive canopy, trying to endure the heat of the day, sat a surly camel and a brooding bull. The travelers explained their predicament and asked for them to pass judgment. The three judges pondered the conflict before speaking.
The tree stated grimly, “Men often rest in my cool shade but later cut my generous branches and scatter my lovely leaves on the ground. I support the tiger because men are ungrateful.”
“When I was young and strong, my master took care of me because I could do much work, but since I am now old and weak, I am sadly neglected. I agree with the feline because men are cruel and unjust,” said the sullen camel.
“The farmer cared for me when I could perform difficult tasks, but now, I have been left in the wilderness to die,” the bull said grimly. “The creature has a legitimate argument and should make a meal of him.”
Just then, an eagle landed majestically on a sturdy branch. Spotting its sharp talons, the two approached with the utmost caution. After hearing their dilemma, the eagle exclaimed, “Humans try to shoot me out of the sky and clamber up steep rocks to acquire my eggs, and so I loathe all of them.”
An eavesdropping alligator confronted the group and angrily proclaimed, “People torment me and pollute my home, so, Striped One, if you don’t chomp him, I certainly will!”
A jackal had been silently lurking, and she volunteered to be the sixth judge. The crafty canine told the group that she had been listening but needed more details. She rationalized it would be impossible for her to fully understand their feud unless she knew exactly where they were when the events occurred.
She followed them down the lane and instructed them to stand precisely where they were when they first met. The merchant watched while the tiger reluctantly walked into his former jail.
The jackal smirked at the man and then slyly asked, “Was the cage open or shut?”
The man abruptly declared, “The door was wide open!”
“He is corrupt and a liar and is trying to trick you! It was shut and locked!” cried the tiger.
The jackal conceded, “Then I suppose we must close and secure it before I can make my decision.”
The man strolled over to the enclosure and fastened the gate as the tiger leered at him with a satisfied smile.
“When the man freed you, you should have gotten a drink of water and then moved on, you wicked cat! Why did you repay his kindness with vengeance? Stay there for the rest of your days, for no one will ever let you out again, and you may continue on your journey, my new friend.”
The jackal scampered off, the tiger roared in protest, and the merchant sauntered away, unscathed.
Multiple Choice Question
How does the author’s use of talking animal characters shape the conflict of the story?
A.
The animals are able to demonstrate their innate qualities, such as the tiger’s ferocity and the jackal’s cunning.
B.
The animals are able to express a variety of beliefs about justice, based on humans’ treatment of the natural world.
C.
The jackal is able to use logic to persuade the tiger that one good turn deserves another, and that the man should be allowed to live.
D.
The tiger, supported by the other animals, is able to argue that the man deserves to die because of the suffering that humans have inflicted on nature.
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The correct answer is B. The animals are able to express a variety of beliefs about justice, based on humans’ treatment of the natural world.
In the story, various animals express their grievances and perspectives regarding humans and the injustices they have faced, which shapes the conflict and highlights differing views on justice. Each animal’s point of view contributes to the larger discussion about the relationship between humans and nature.
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