The Deer, the Jackal, and the Crow

This is a story of charm, caution, and choosing the right voice.

In a lush forest — think of it as an open market with plenty of opportunity and plenty of risk — lived a deer. He was healthy, comfortable, and somewhat naïve. His closest friend was a crow — smart, observant, always flying above the noise.

One day, along came a jackal. Suave. Friendly. That classic networking type who knows how to say the right things to get into your head. He told the deer,
'Why stick to this patchy clearing when there’s a beautiful meadow nearby? Lush grass, no crowds — it’s perfect for someone like you.'

The crow saw right through it. He pulled the deer aside and said,
'To one whose family and profession are unknown, one should not give residence.
You don't know this jackal. You don’t know his past, his intentions, or his next move.'

The deer hesitated. He didn’t want to offend either friend, but the jackal’s offer sounded too good. The crow insisted,
‘A smart person sticks with those who genuinely match their values and purpose’.

 You, my friend, are bread. He is the eater. How can harmony exist between you two?'

But flattery can be addictive. The deer followed the jackal.
And sure enough — in that gorgeous meadow — a hunter’s trap was waiting.
Snap. The deer was caught.

The crow found him stuck and panicking. 'What did I tell you?' he said, but quickly shifted into action. 'Now listen, play dead. Don’t move.'

The deer obeyed. When the hunter came and saw the deer motionless, he thought the job was done. He set down his tools and stepped away.
Boom — the deer sprang up and bolted into the forest. The crow soared after him.
And the jackal, who had followed them in secret hoping for leftovers, was left behind — both hungry and humiliated.

Reflections & Embedded Wisdom

Let’s not miss the gold here:

• 'He who hath the resolution to extricate one from his misfortunes... is a Pandit.'
  ➤ The crow didn’t say ‘I told you so’ and walk away. He acted. That’s what real leadership looks like.
  
  
• 'Hesitation in times of misfortune is the mark of a coward.'
  ➤ Crisis calls for clarity. The crow stepped up. The deer followed through.
  
  
• 'Combination is best for men... even weak players, united, can beat a stronger opponent.'
  ➤ That deer wouldn’t have made it alone. The crow was his backup plan — his silent insurance policy.
  
  
• 'An intoxicated elephant may be bound with a few straws when formed into a rope.'
  ➤ Little things — when they work together — can do the impossible. Even fear, when shared and tackled as a team, loses its grip.
  
  
• 'Hospitality is sacred, but blind trust is dangerous.'
  ➤ There’s a time to be welcoming — and a time to vet your guests.
  
  
• 'If someone profits from your downfall, they’re not your friend.'
  ➤ The jackal was all charm and smiles — but had everything to gain from the deer’s failure.
  
  

Final Thought:

Listen to the crow, not the jackal.
The crow tells you what you need to hear. The jackal tells you what you want to hear. One saves your reputation. The other sells you down the river.

Ramaswamy Sastry and Vighnesh Ghanapaathi