The Lambikin: A Tale of Cleverness and Consequence
The Lambikin: A Tale of Cleverness and Consequence
Adapted from Indian Fairy Tales by Joseph Jacobs (1892)
The Journey Begins
Once upon a time, there lived a small Lambikin who delighted in frolicking about on his unsteady legs. His playful spirit and boundless energy brought him great joy each day.
One morning, Lambikin decided to visit his Grandmother. The thought of all the delicious treats awaiting him at her house made him skip with excitement. As he journeyed along the path, he encountered a hungry Jackal who eyed the tender young creature with obvious desire.
“Lambikin! Lambikin! I’ll EAT YOU!” declared the Jackal, licking his lips.
Lambikin, however, was not easily frightened. With a small hop, he replied in a sing-song voice:
“To Granny’s house I go,
Where I shall fatter grow,
Then you can eat me so.”
The Jackal considered this proposition. It seemed reasonable that a plumper Lambikin would make a more satisfying meal, so he allowed the little creature to continue on his way.
A Series of Encounters
Further along the path, Lambikin met a Vulture who circled overhead before landing directly in his path. The large bird stared hungrily at the small morsel before him.
“Lambikin! Lambikin! I’ll EAT YOU!” screeched the Vulture.
Once again, Lambikin gave a little frisk and repeated his clever rhyme:
“To Granny’s house I go,
Where I shall fatter grow,
Then you can eat me so.”
The Vulture, like the Jackal, found this logic sound and permitted Lambikin to pass.
As his journey continued, Lambikin encountered several more predators—a Tiger with gleaming teeth, a Wolf with piercing eyes, a Dog with a wagging tail, and an Eagle with sharp talons. To each of these hungry creatures, Lambikin offered the same response with a cheerful little hop:
“To Granny’s house I go,
Where I shall fatter grow,
Then you can eat me so.”
Each animal, anticipating a more substantial future meal, allowed the clever Lambikin to continue on his way.
The Clever Plan
At last, Lambikin reached his Grandmother’s house. Rushing inside, he exclaimed, “Granny dear, I’ve promised to get very fat! Since people should always keep their promises, please put me into the corn-bin right away.”
His Grandmother, pleased by his apparent sense of responsibility, praised him as a good boy and placed him in the corn-bin as requested. There, the greedy little Lambikin remained for seven days, eating continuously until he could barely waddle.
When his Grandmother declared him fat enough and suggested he return home, Lambikin revealed his concern. “That would never do,” he explained. “I’m so plump and tender now that some animal would surely eat me on the journey back.”
“I have a plan,” announced the clever Lambikin. “You must make a small drum from the skin of my little brother who died. I can sit inside it and roll along safely, for I’m as tight as a drum myself now.”
His Grandmother, not questioning this unusual request, crafted a small drum with the wool on the inside. Lambikin curled up snugly in the center, warm and protected, and began to trundle merrily along the path toward home.
The Return Journey
Soon, Lambikin encountered the Eagle, who called out:
“Drumikin! Drumikin!
Have you seen Lambikin?”
From within his cozy hiding place, Lambikin replied:
“Fallen into the fire, and so will you
On little Drumikin. Tum-pa, tum-too!”
“How disappointing!” sighed the Eagle, regretting the tasty morsel he had allowed to escape.
Lambikin continued rolling along, laughing to himself and singing:
“Tum-pa, tum-too;
Tum-pa, tum-too!”
Each animal he had met on his journey—the Dog, the Wolf, the Tiger, and the Vulture—asked the same question:
“Drumikin! Drumikin!
Have you seen Lambikin?”
To each, the clever little creature gave the same misleading answer:
“Fallen into the fire, and so will you
On little Drumikin. Tum-pa, tum-too;
Tum-pa, tum-too; Tum-pa, tum-too!”
The animals all sighed with disappointment, believing they had lost their promised meal forever.
The Jackal’s Revenge
Finally, Lambikin met the Jackal, who was limping along the path. Despite his injured appearance, the Jackal’s mind remained as sharp as a needle. He too called out:
“Drumikin! Drumikin!
Have you seen Lambikin?”
Confidently, Lambikin began his practiced response:
“Fallen into the fire, and so will you
On little Drumikin! Tum-pa—”
But before he could finish, the Jackal interrupted. “Wait a moment! I recognize that voice. You’ve just turned yourself inside out, haven’t you? Come out of there at once!”
With those words, the clever Jackal tore open the drum and devoured Lambikin in one swift gulp.
In this ancient tale, we learn that cleverness without wisdom can lead to downfall, and that pride often comes before a fall. Lambikin’s initial trick worked well, but his overconfidence and taunting ultimately led to his undoing.
