Storytelling, Week 5: The Three Jaguars

          Many years ago in the jungles of South America, three jaguars live beneath a giant waterfall. These cats have resided under this waterfall for many years. Ever since the three cubs left their mother, they searched for the perfect place to relax. Finally, they came across the falls and decided this was the perfect place they were looking for. Every day they relax and hunt around their home. Despite each jaguar being from the same mother they are all very different. One brother always uses his intellect to solve problems, while the second brother only uses his intellect some of the time. Now the third brother never uses his intellect.

          During this time period, jaguars were valued for their beautiful coats. Poachers flooded areas of the jungle where jaguars might live, but they were difficult to catch. One morning the three brothers went out to hunt some fine game. For some reason beyond their control, there was no game within their territory. The smart brother came to the conclusion that they should wander past the river and search for food. The three jaguars swam across the river and entered the unfamiliar jungle. After hours of prowling, the smart brother caught sense of an animal.

          The three creep through the forest and come across a strange looking pile of brush. Inside this strange pile is a wounded bird. The smart jaguar's eyes glisten with happiness as they found something to eat. However, he begins to notice something strange about this pile. He looks a little deeper inside and notices that bars line the inside of the brush. The smart brother realizes this pile of brush is a trap for their fur. He turns around and shakes his head, "no." The second brother who uses his intellect some of the time walks up to the trap and glances inside. He almost steps inside the brush, but his intellect tells him not to. The second brother follows the smart jaguar as he walks away. However, the third brother approaches the trap. He immediately licks his lips and pounces on the wounded bird. A door falls, which closes the third brother inside.

          The two smarter brothers continue to walk through the jungle in sadness as they lost their dear brother. However, each jaguar knew that this day would come for their less intellectual brother. Intellect is the key to survival.

Jaguar Painting

Author's Note:

     I based this adaption on the Tales of Bidpai story "The Three Fish." I enjoyed the story when I read it. I liked the message at the end of the original story that intellect means everything when it comes to survival. I thought it was interesting that the story seemed very basic, but had a fairly deep meaning. I changed the setting and animals from the original story.

The Tortoise and the Geese and Other Fables of Bidpai

"The Three Fish"

Maude Borrows Dutton (1908)