In the forest known as Brahmaranya, there lived an elephant called Karpuratilaka.

Looking at him, the jackals in that forest reflected, “If he were somehow to die, his carcass would provide us all with four months of good eating!”

At that, an old jackal stepped forward and declared, “Through the use of my intelligence, I will accomplish his death.”

The old jackal then went up to the elephant and bowing low before him, said, “Sire, grant me the favour of a glance.”

“Who are you? From where have you come?” asked the elephant.

“I am a jackal, sent to you by the animals who live in this forest. We do not have a king, and that is not proper. So we held a meeting and after discussing the matter amongst us, we have chosen you to be our king. You are endowed with every princely virtue, and there is no other beast more suited to rule over us than you. The hour for your coronation is here. So do not delay, Your Majesty. Come quickly, lest the auspicious time pass away!” So saying, the jackal rose up and went away.

The elephant, greedy for power, ran after the jackal, and fell into a great bog. The more he struggled to get out, the deeper he sank into the mud. In a panic, the elephant called out, “Friend jackal, I am caught in a bog! What shall I do? I can’t get out and I will surely die! Oh come back and help me!”

The jackal laughed scornfully and said, “Sire, hold the tip of my tail with your trunk and climb out! You believed someone like me, and now you must suffer the consequences of your stupidity. After all, it is well known that if you keep company with the bad, you will only get into trouble and no good will come your way.”

The elephant, stuck in the bog, died, and the jackals feasted upon his carcass long and happily.

That which is not possible by strength or skill may be achieved by stratagem.