The jackal and the hedgehog

The hedgehog had joined forces with the jackal to cultivate. Nomads one day settled on their land. When the jackal and the hedgehog went to visit their fields, they found goats grazing on their budding grain.
“Friends,” they said to the strangers, “you are doing us wrong! If God guides you on the right path, get out of our fields!
— We won't leave! » they replied.
And then great was the concern of our two friends.
The jackal said one day to the hedgehog: “Let's draw lots: whichever of us he chooses will ride on top of the other and we will go and raid the nomads' goats!” »
The hedgehog replied: “Put your trust in God! » And they drew straws.
The lot designated the hedgehog which was thus chosen as a mount. The jackal threw the saddle on his back but did not know how to mount it because it came to the ground.
The hedgehog called out to him: “Why do you want to ride on me,” he said to him, “I’m so small, so short. The saddle will fit on you: you are tall and long!
— If that’s what you want, give it to me. »
The saddle was the size of a jackal, the hedgehog put his foot in the stirrup and exclaimed: “I know how to use the spur! »
And taking the bridle in hand, the hedgehog mounted on the jackal went to chase the goats from their fields.
The jackal and the hedgehog - illustration 1
Looking up, the nomads saw the hedgehog astride the jackal. They called the greyhounds who chased them.
The jackal, frightened, said to the hedgehog: “Uncle Mhand! Please let go of the reins, so that I can escape more quickly; I feel the greyhounds on me! »
The hedgehog, holding the bridle tighter, replied: “Take it easy; This day won't happen without you! »
They were going like this when they reached a river; the jackal crossed it but the hedgehog fell on the spot. He then went to hide under some cow dung, while the jackal disappeared in the distance.
During this time, the people of the douar were celebrating a wedding. The woman who had gone to look for fuel found Uncle Mhand hiding under a dung pile. An old woman picked him up: “O our enemy,” she said to him, “it was God who had you taken!” »
The jackal and the hedgehog - illustration 2
She took it to the people of the douar.
“We are busy,” they told him; Only you can keep it! »
She put a collar on him and tied him to the tent pole, then went and sat down in front of him. The hedgehog pretended to cry.
“What’s the matter with you, Mhand,” she said to him, “what pain have I caused you?
— What saddens me is that you stay there watching over a bundle of thorns while the men and women of the douar are at the wedding, eating and drinking! »
The jackal and the hedgehog - illustration 3
Labove, the old woman got up and also went off to take her share of the feast, leaving the greyhound to watch over the hedgehog until his return. The greyhound, crouching in front of the hedgehog, listened to him speak: “God has also cursed you, you wretch. Your brothers get their fill of bones and couscous while you're there looking after me! Do you take me for an Eid-el-Kebir sausage? So see what you're looking out for thorns! »
And saying this, he showed her his quills. The greyhound stood up and said to the old woman: “Come and find someone else to keep the ball of thorns for you; I want to eat my share of the feast too! »
The jackal and the hedgehog - illustration 4
The jackal and the hedgehog - illustration 5
The old woman came back to the hedgehog. When he saw her, he started crying again.
“What’s the matter with you, Mhand?” » she told him. —I'm afraid that you will put me in the jug at the bendaq and that, hanging up there, you will kill me to be rid of me.
— By your mother, scoundrel, that’s what’s going to happen to you! »
She placed it in the jug which she hung from the tent. The hedgehog then began to eat until it was full, and when the old woman came to see him, she found him with his paws in the air. Believing that he was dead, she spread a cloth on the ground, lay down on it,and fell asleep.
Then the hedgehog got up, cut his rope, and ran away

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