FABLE LIX
by John Gay · from Fables of John Gay (Somewhat Altered)
Adapted Version
In a green forest, a Jackal was boss. The big lion was gone. The Jackal was not a good boss. He was not fair to anyone. He took the Bear’s honey. He took the Squirrel's nuts. He splashed mud on the Rabbit. The other animals were very sad. They whispered in the bushes. "The Jackal is mean," said the Bear. "We do not like him," said the Squirrel. They did not want him as boss.
The Jackal heard the animals whisper. He saw their sad faces. He was scared. "They do not like me," he thought. He hid in his den. "What can I do?" he wondered. He thought for a long time. "I know! I will give them treats. Nice treats will make them happy. They will be my friends." He smiled a sneaky smile.
The next day, the Jackal went out. He found the Pig by a puddle. "Hello, Pig," said the Jackal. "Here is food for you." The Pig ate the food. "Oink! You are so kind," he said. Next, the Jackal saw the Wolf. "Hello, Wolf," said the Jackal. "I have meat for you." The Wolf ate the meat. "Grrr. You are a good friend," he said. Then he found the Fox. He gave the Fox a little chicken. The Fox was very happy. He found the Donkey in a field. He gave the Donkey a sweet flower. They all ate their treats. They followed the Jackal. They all shouted, "The Jackal is our friend! Hooray for the Jackal!"
Suddenly, a shadow fell over the forest. A big Leopard walked out of the trees. He was strong and walked proudly. His eyes were kind and smart. He was a very fair animal. The Leopard saw the bad Jackal. He saw the animals shouting. He did not like what he saw. This was not right.
The Pig saw the strong Leopard. He stopped oinking for the Jackal. The Wolf saw the strong Leopard. He stopped growling for the Jackal. The Fox and Donkey saw him too. They all looked at each other. They ran away from the Jackal. They left him all alone. They ran to the big Leopard. "You are the boss now," they said. "The Jackal is bad. You are good. Where are our treats?"
The Leopard looked at them. He said, "No. You are not good friends. You only want the treats. You do not get any treats. You get nothing." The greedy animals were sad.
The Leopard was the new boss. He was a good boss. He was fair to everyone. All the other animals were happy.
Original Story
FABLE LIX.
The Jackall, Leopard, and Beasts.
(To a Modern Politician.)
I grant these facts: corruption sways,
Self-interest does pervert man's ways;
That bribes do blind; that present crimes
Do equal those of former times:
Can I against plain facts engage
To vindicate the present age?
I know that bribes in modern palm
Can nobler energies encalm;
That where such argument exists
There itching is in modern fists.
And hence you hold that politicians
Should drive their nails on such conditions,
So they might penetrate sans bending,
And win your way past comprehending.
Premising no reflection's meant,
Unto such doctrine I dissent.
The barrister is bound to plead
Upon the side on which he 's fee'd;
And so in every other trade
Is duty, by the guinea, paid.
Man, we are taught, is prone to evil—
That does not vindicate the devil:
Besides, man, in his own behoof,
Contrives to hide the cloven hoof.
Nor is corruption of late date,—
'Twas known in every age and state;
And where corruption was employed
The public welfare was destroyed.
Next see court minions in disgrace,
Stripped of their treasure, stripped of place;
What now is all their pride and boast,—
The servile slave, the flattering host,
The tongues that fed him with applause,
The noisy champions of their cause?
They press the foremost to accuse
His selfish jobs and paltry views.
Ah, me! short-sighted were the fools,
And false, aye false, the hireling tools.
Was it such sycophants to get
Corruption swelled the public debt?
This motto would not shine amiss—
Write, "Point d'argent et point de Suisse."
The lion is the noblest brute,
With parts and valour past dispute,
And yet it is by all averred
His rule to jackalls is transferred.
A rascal jackall once on law
And property put down his paw.
The forest groaned brute-discontent,
And swore its injuries to resent:
The jackall heard it, and with fear
He saw disgrace approaching near.
He said and thought: "I must defeat
Malicious tongues, and guard my seat;
Strengthen myself with new allies,
And then this clamour may despise."
Unto the generous brutes he fawned;
The generous brutes the jackall scorned.
What must he do? Friends must be made,
And proselytes by bribes be paid;
For think not a brute's paw withstands
The bribe which dirties human hands.
A hog o'er cabbage said his benison;
The wolf was won by haunch of venison;
A pullet won the fox; a thistle
Tickled the donkey's tongue of gristle.
But now the royal leopard rose
The tricksy jackall to oppose:
And as the rats will leave in lurch
The falling walls of house or church,
So did each briber cut and run
To worship at the rising sun.
The hog with warmth expressed his zeal,
So did the wolf for public weal,—
But claimed their venison and cabbage.
The fox the like—without disparage
Unto his perquisites of geese.
The donkey asked a common's lease.
"Away," the leopard said, "ye crew,
Whose conscience honesty ne'er knew!
Away, I say, with all the tribe
Who dare to ask or take a bribe:
Cudgels, and not rewards, are due
To such time-serving tools as you!"
Story DNA
Moral
Corruption, though seemingly effective in the short term, ultimately leads to disgrace and the downfall of those who practice it, as true justice will eventually prevail.
Plot Summary
The fable begins with a commentary on pervasive human corruption, especially in politics, and how easily loyalty is bought and sold. It then shifts to an allegorical tale where a 'rascal jackall' usurps power and abuses the law, causing widespread discontent. Fearing disgrace, the jackall secures his position by bribing various animals with tailored rewards. However, when the royal leopard rises to challenge the jackall, the bribed animals immediately abandon their former master and attempt to curry favor with the new power, still demanding their 'perquisites'. The leopard, seeing their opportunism, rejects them, declaring that such time-serving tools deserve punishment rather than reward.
Themes
Emotional Arc
cynicism to righteous indignation
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
John Gay's fables were often thinly veiled satires of contemporary British politics and society during the early 18th century, particularly critical of corruption and moral decay in government.
Plot Beats (10)
- The narrator begins by acknowledging the widespread corruption and self-interest in human politics, questioning if the present age is worse than former times.
- He argues that while man is prone to evil, this does not justify corruption, which historically destroys public welfare.
- The narrator observes how corrupt court officials, once powerful, are abandoned and accused by their former sycophants when they fall from grace.
- He introduces the fable's allegorical setting, stating that the lion's rule has been transferred to a jackall.
- A 'rascal jackall' abuses law and property, causing discontent among the forest animals.
- Fearing disgrace, the jackall decides to secure his power by making new allies through bribery.
- He successfully bribes a hog with cabbage, a wolf with venison, a fox with a pullet, and a donkey with a thistle.
- The royal leopard rises to oppose the jackall.
- Upon the leopard's ascent, the bribed animals immediately abandon the jackall and express their zeal for the leopard, while still demanding their specific bribes.
- The leopard denounces these opportunistic animals, refusing their demands and stating that such 'time-serving tools' deserve punishment, not rewards.
Characters
The Jackall ⚔ antagonist
A lean, agile jackal with a wiry build and a somewhat shifty demeanor. His fur is a dusty, sandy brown, blending easily with dry earth. He has sharp, intelligent eyes that dart around nervously.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To maintain his power and position, to avoid disgrace and punishment, and to secure his own self-interest.
Flaw: Cowardice and a deep-seated fear of being exposed or losing his power.
Initially powerful and corrupt, he faces discontent and fear, attempts to secure his position through bribes, but ultimately loses his allies and faces disgrace when a stronger leader emerges.
Cunning, fearful, manipulative, self-serving, opportunistic.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, agile jackal with dusty sandy-brown fur, standing slightly hunched and looking over his shoulder with dark, beady, nervous eyes. His pointed snout and erect ears are alert. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Leopard ★ protagonist
A powerful and regal leopard with a muscular, sleek body covered in distinctive black rosettes against a golden-yellow coat. He carries himself with an air of authority and strength.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To restore order and justice to the forest, to oppose corruption, and to ensure the public welfare.
Flaw: None explicitly stated, but perhaps a strong sense of justice that could be exploited by truly cunning foes.
He emerges as the hero, successfully challenging and displacing the corrupt Jackall and his bribed allies, restoring integrity to the forest.
Just, authoritative, decisive, principled, unyielding against corruption.
Image Prompt & Upload
A powerful and regal leopard with a muscular, sleek body, covered in distinctive black rosettes against a golden-yellow coat. He stands with a confident, commanding posture, his head held high, and piercing amber eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Hog ○ minor
A stout, stocky hog with coarse, bristly grey-brown hair and a thick hide. He has a prominent snout and small, wary eyes.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To gain personal benefits, specifically food (cabbage).
Flaw: His greed and lack of principles.
He is bribed by the Jackall and then quickly switches allegiance to the Leopard when the tide turns, still trying to claim his 'perquisites'.
Opportunistic, greedy, self-interested, easily swayed by material gain.
Image Prompt & Upload
A stout, stocky hog with coarse, bristly grey-brown hair and a thick hide. He stands with a lumbering posture, his prominent snout slightly lowered, and small, wary eyes. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Wolf ○ minor
A lean, powerful wolf with a grey coat, sharp teeth, and intelligent, predatory eyes. He has a cunning and somewhat menacing presence.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To gain personal benefits, specifically food (venison).
Flaw: His greed and lack of loyalty.
He is bribed by the Jackall and then quickly switches allegiance to the Leopard, still trying to claim his 'perquisites'.
Cunning, opportunistic, self-interested, predatory.
Image Prompt & Upload
A lean, powerful wolf with a grey coat, standing with a stealthy posture. He has a long, pointed snout, keen yellow eyes, and erect, triangular ears. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Fox ○ minor
A sleek, agile fox with a reddish-brown coat, a bushy tail, and a perpetually sly expression. He is quick and nimble.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To gain personal benefits, specifically food (a pullet/geese).
Flaw: His insatiable cunning and lack of moral compass.
He is bribed by the Jackall and then quickly switches allegiance to the Leopard, still trying to claim his 'perquisites'.
Sly, cunning, opportunistic, self-interested, deceptive.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sleek, agile fox with a reddish-brown coat and a bushy tail. He stands with a light, quick posture, a pointed snout, bright, cunning eyes, and large, triangular ears. He has a sly expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Donkey ○ minor
A sturdy, grey donkey with long ears, a shaggy coat, and a somewhat stubborn or dull expression. He appears strong but slow-witted.
Attire: None, as he is an animal.
Wants: To gain simple benefits, specifically food (a thistle) and later a 'common's lease'.
Flaw: His gullibility and lack of foresight.
He is bribed by the Jackall and then quickly switches allegiance to the Leopard, still trying to claim his 'perquisites'.
Simple-minded, easily satisfied, stubborn, self-interested in a basic way.
Image Prompt & Upload
A sturdy, grey donkey with a shaggy coat, standing with a slow, deliberate posture. He has a long face, large, expressive eyes, and very long ears. He has a slightly dull expression. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Forest
A vast, untamed wilderness, likely temperate European, where various animals reside and interact. The ground is probably covered with fallen leaves and undergrowth, with a mix of deciduous trees.
Mood: Initially discontented and groaning under perceived injustice, later shifting to a scene of political maneuvering and eventual judgment.
The primary setting where the Jackall's corrupt rule is established, the animals express their discontent, and the Leopard eventually rises to restore order.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dense, ancient European forest with towering oak and beech trees, their gnarled branches reaching towards a dappled sky. Sunlight filters through the thick canopy, creating shifting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor, which is covered in a rich carpet of fallen leaves and mossy roots. A faint, well-trodden animal path winds through the undergrowth, disappearing into the depths of the woods. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
