"That is an easy thing," said the jackal, and immediately blowed in order
to summon his brothers. They gathered around him, and he gave them this
command: "My brothers, save me from Half-a-Cock, for it has a hair from my
back which it has put in the fire. I don't want to burn. Take Half-a-Cock
out of the sheep-pen, and you will be able to take my hair from its hands."
At once the jackals rushed to the pen, strangled everything that was there,
and rescued Half-a-Cock. The next day the King found his stables deserted
and his animals killed. He sought for Half-a-Cock, but in vain. The latter,
the next day at the supper hour, began to crow as it did the first time.
The prince called his negroes and said to them:
"Seize Half-a-Cock and cast him into the cattle-yard so that it may be
crushed under their feet."
The negroes caught Half-a-Cock and threw him into the middle of the
cow-pen. As soon as it reached there, it took the lion's hair and put it
into the fire. The lion came, roaring, and said:
"Why do you burn my hair? I smelled from my cave the odor of burning hair,
and came running to learn the motive of your action."