“Wow! Wow! Let me go!” squalled the Jackal. “If you don’t let me go, I will bite you in two!”
“Try it and see what happens,” said the Tortoise quietly, moving on along the path.
The Jackal bit the shell as hard as he could, and his jaws stuck to it fast. He was dragged along, until, after some time, the Tortoise arrived at the Lion’s house and told how he had caught the thieving Jackal.
All the animals, when they heard the news, gathered to see the Jackal in his miserable captivity, but not one of them had any pity for him. Every one said that he ought to die for his dishonesty and his mischief-making.
“You may live until tomorrow,” said the Lion, “and we will allow you this favor: you may choose the way you will die.”
“Thank you,” said the Jackal, meekly. Then he began to think whether there was not some plan by which he might escape even now.
All the animals came to see the Jackal executed, and the Hyena was made the executioner.
“Have you made up your mind in what way you wish to be killed?” asked the Lion.
“I once saw a monkey kill a rat,” said the Jackal, “by swinging it round by the tail and dashing it against a tree. I think I should prefer to be killed in that way.”
“Very well,” said the Lion, “the Hyena will take you by the tail and swing you round and round and dash you against a tree.”