THE JACKAL and THE KITE
by Maive Stokes · from Indian Fairy Tales
Original Story
THE JACKAL AND THE KITE
T HERE was once a she-jackal and a she-kite. They
lived in the same tree; the jackal at the bottom of
the tree, and the kite at the top. Neither had
any children. One day the kite said to the jackal, “Let us
go and worship God, and fast, and then he will give us
children.” So the jackal said, “Very good.” That day the
kite ate nothing, nor that night; but the jackal at night
brought a dead animal, and was sitting eating it quietly
under the tree. By-and-by the kite heard her crunching
the bones, instead of fasting. “What have you got there,”
said the kite, “that you are making such a noise?” “Nothing,”
said the jackal; “it is only my own bones that
rattle inside my body whenever I move.” The kite went to
sleep again, and took no more notice of the jackal. Next
morning the kite ate some food in the name of God. That
night again the jackal brought a dead animal. The kite
called out, “What are you crunching there? Why are you
making that noise? I am sure you have something to eat.”
The jackal said, “Oh, no! It is only my own bones rattling
in my body.” So the kite went to sleep again.
Some time after, the kite had seven little boys—real little
boys—but the jackal had none, because she had not fasted.
A year after that the kite went and worshipped God, asking
Him to take care of her children. One day—it was their
great day—the kite set out seven plates. On one she put [ Pg 22] cocoa-nuts, on another cucumbers, on a third rice, on a fourth
plantains, and so on. Then she gave a plate to each of her
seven sons, and told them to take the plates to their aunt the
jackal. So they took the seven plates, and carried them to
their aunt, crying out, “Aunty, aunty, look here! Mamma
has sent you these things.” The jackal took the plates, and
cut off the heads of the seven boys, and their hands, and
their feet, and their noses, and their ears, and took out their
eyes. Then she laid their heads in one plate, and their eyes
in another, and their noses in a third, and their ears in a
fourth, and their hands in a fifth, and their feet in a sixth,
and their trunks in the seventh, and then she covered all the
plates over. Then she took the plates to the kite, and called
out, “Here! I have brought you something in return. You
sent me a present, and I bring you a present.” Now the
poor kite thought the jackal had killed all her seven children,
so she cried out, “Oh, it’s too dark now to see what you
have brought. Put the plates down in my tree.” The
jackal put the plates down and went home. Then God
made the boys alive again, and they came running to their
mother, quite well. And instead of the heads and eyes, and
noses and ears, and hands and feet, and trunks, there were
again on the plates cocoa-nuts and cucumbers, and plantains
and rice, and so on.
Now the jackal got hold of the boys again. And this
time she killed them, and cooked them and ate them; and
again God brought them to life. Well, the jackal was very
much astonished to see the boys alive, and she got angry,
and said to the kite, “I will take your seven sons and throw
them into the water, and they will be drowned.” “Very
well,” said the kite, “take them. I don’t mind. God will
take care of them.” The jackal took them and threw them
into the water, and left them to die, while the kite looked
on without crying. And again God made them alive, and [ Pg 23] the jackal was so surprised. “Why,” said she, “I put
these children into the water, and left them to drown. And
here they are alive!” Then God got very angry with the
jackal, and said to her, “Go out of this village. And wherever
you go, men will try to shoot you, and you shall always
be afraid of them.” So the jackal had to go away; and the
kite and her children lived very happily ever afterwards.
Told by Dunkní.
[ Pg 24]
Story DNA
Moral
Deceit and cruelty will ultimately be punished, while faith and righteousness are rewarded by divine intervention.
Plot Summary
A childless she-jackal and she-kite agree to fast and worship God for children, but the jackal secretly cheats. The kite is blessed with seven sons, while the jackal has none. Driven by jealousy, the jackal brutally dismembers the kite's children, but God miraculously brings them back to life. The jackal repeatedly attempts to kill the boys, but each time God resurrects them. Finally, God, angered by the jackal's persistent cruelty, banishes her to a life of fear, allowing the kite and her children to live happily ever after.
Themes
Emotional Arc
suffering to triumph
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Maive Stokes collected Indian folktales in the late 19th century, reflecting traditional Indian oral storytelling.
Plot Beats (14)
- A childless she-jackal and she-kite live in the same tree.
- The kite suggests they fast and worship God for children; the jackal agrees but secretly eats at night.
- The kite hears the jackal crunching bones and questions her, but the jackal lies, claiming it's her own bones rattling.
- The kite gives birth to seven sons, but the jackal has none.
- The kite sends her seven sons to the jackal with plates of food as a gift.
- The jackal brutally dismembers the boys, placing their body parts on the plates.
- The jackal returns the plates to the kite, claiming it's a reciprocal gift, but the kite, thinking her children are dead, tells her to leave them.
- God miraculously brings the seven boys back to life, and the plates are filled with food again.
- The jackal gets hold of the boys again, kills them, cooks them, and eats them.
- God again brings the boys back to life, astonishing and angering the jackal.
- The jackal threatens to throw the boys into the water to drown them; the kite calmly agrees, trusting God.
- The jackal throws the boys into the water, but God once more brings them back to life.
- God, angered by the jackal's persistent cruelty, banishes her from the village and curses her to be hunted by men.
- The jackal leaves, and the kite and her seven sons live happily ever after.
Characters
The She-Jackal ⚔ antagonist
A wild canine, likely with a lean build and reddish-brown fur, typical of a jackal.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Deceitful, gluttonous, cruel, persistent
Image Prompt & Upload
A menacing female humanoid with jackal features, including pointed ears, sharp canine teeth, and patches of dark fur on her arms and face. She has sleek black hair pulled back, golden amber eyes, and a cunning sneer. Dressed in dark leather armor with tattered edges and tribal bone accessories, she stands in a predatory pose, one hand extended with claws visible. Her posture is upright and confident, exuding menace. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The She-Kite ★ protagonist
A bird of prey, likely with sharp talons and a keen eyesight, typical of a kite.
Attire: None, as an animal.
Pious, trusting, resilient, maternal
Image Prompt & Upload
A young woman with wind-tousled auburn hair and freckles stands barefoot on a grassy hilltop at dusk. She wears a flowing, layered dress of deep indigo and silver that whips around her legs like captured wind. Her expression is one of determined wonder, gazing upward with a slight smile as she holds a long, trailing ribbon of translucent silk that streams from her hand. The sky behind her is a vibrant swirl of sunset orange and twilight purple. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
God ◆ supporting
Not physically described, as an omnipotent, unseen entity.
Attire: Not applicable.
Benevolent, just, powerful, forgiving (initially)
Image Prompt & Upload
A majestic, ageless figure with flowing silver hair and a long beard, wearing simple, luminous white robes. They stand tall with a gentle, wise expression, one hand slightly raised in a supportive gesture. Their form radiates a soft, golden light, with subtle celestial patterns like stars and galaxies woven into the fabric of their robes. The posture is calm and benevolent, exuding timeless strength and compassion. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
The Seven Sons (of the Kite) ○ minor
Young, small birds, presumably similar in appearance to their mother.
Attire: None, as animals.
Obedient, innocent, vulnerable
Image Prompt & Upload
Seven young boys of varying heights, appearing between five and twelve years old, stand in a loose group. They have matching messy chestnut-brown hair and curious, bright-eyed expressions. They wear simple, rustic tunics in shades of cream, soft blue, and pale green, with leather belts and bare feet. Some hold small, colorful diamond-shaped kites, while others look up as if feeling a breeze. Their posture is relaxed and slightly playful, with a few leaning on each other. Plain white background, full body visible head to toe, single figure, no watermark, no text, no signature.
Locations
The Tree
A single tree where the she-jackal lives at the bottom and the she-kite at the top.
Mood: Initially a shared, somewhat tense living space; later a place of deception and a safe haven for the kite.
The initial living arrangement of the two animals, the jackal's secret eating, and the kite's return to her children.
Image Prompt & Upload
An ancient, colossal tree dominates the twilight landscape, its gnarled trunk thick and twisted, roots sprawling like earthy tentacles into the mossy ground. At its base, a dark, hollow den is nestled among the roots, surrounded by ferns and shadow, evoking a sense of earthy mystery. Higher up, the massive branches fork and spread, creating a vast, airy canopy where the last golden rays of sunset pierce through the leaves, illuminating a high, open nest woven from twigs and lined with soft down. The atmosphere is magical and serene, with deep greens, rich browns, and the soft amber glow of dusk. No border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration.
The Kite's Home (in the tree)
The top of the tree where the kite lives, implied to be a nest or similar dwelling.
Mood: Initially a place of hope and prayer, later a place of sorrow and then miraculous reunion.
The kite preparing food for her children and the miraculous return of her sons.
Image Prompt & Upload
At dusk, the summit of a towering ancient pine tree cradles a spacious nest constructed from interwoven branches, moss, and downy feathers. The setting sun bathes the scene in a soft amber light, highlighting the textures of the nest and the tree's rugged bark. Below, a misty forest canopy stretches into the distance, with a pastel sky of pink and orange hues. The environment feels tranquil and mystical, a perfect sanctuary high above the world. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
The River/Water
A body of water where the jackal attempts to drown the kite's children.
Mood: A place of attempted malice and divine intervention.
The jackal throwing the kite's sons into the water and their subsequent resurrection.
Image Prompt & Upload
A dark, slow-moving river at twilight, its deep indigo waters swirling with ominous ripples beneath a bruised purple and slate-grey sky. The banks are lined with gnarled, ancient willow trees, their long, drooping branches trailing like fingers into the murky water. A thick, low-hanging mist clings to the surface, diffusing the last faint light. The atmosphere is heavy, silent, and foreboding, with a palette of deep blues, purples, and shadowy greens. no border, no frame, no watermark, no text, no signature, edge-to-edge illustration
