He roamed for days, but couldn't find any trace of food. The famine had turned out to be a disaster. The animals had fled in search of a better place. Poor Jackal's injury didn't permit him to leave immediately.
The Jackal finally came across a bunch of animals carrying edibles. He felt relieved.
"Friends, I am hungry. Can you share some food with me please?"
The animals looked at him in disgust, "Ah, Mr. Cunning. We don't serve villains."
"But I have never hurt anyone."
"Doesn't matter. You are considered to be cunning."
Ah, stereotyping never helps the society.
This 99 word fiction is shared with Blogging from A to Z April Challenge - J.
Very true. It's worse than judging by the cover, I guess. And we do it even inadvertently sometimes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Vinay :-)
DeleteThere is a very famous Hindi saying 'bad acha, badnaam bura'. Our society is brimming with too many evils, this is one of them.
ReplyDeleteVery tue ... this evil has to be removed.
DeleteGreat thoughts, stereotyping sadly still thrives in society.
ReplyDeleteYes it does :-(
DeleteI agree we should take each person on their own merit, but I'm not so sure about a Jackal. :)
ReplyDeleteJ.L. Campbell - The Character Depot | A-Z Challenge Co-Host
Ha ha ... perhaps a jackal can be good too ;-)
DeleteTrue, some are titled for no fault of theirs.Nice
ReplyDeleteAnd that's sad :-(
DeleteWell said. Stereotyping never helped anybody.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jyotsna :-)
DeleteYou've brought it out beautifully.. I loved the story and the message it gives!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Thank You Geetika :-)
DeleteAn inspiring post. No doubt stereotyping only leads to evil..!!
ReplyDeleteI love to switch characters' "expected" behaviors. Villain? He's actually not so bad. In fact, he thinks he's a hero in his own mind.
ReplyDeleteThank You Jennifer :-)
Deletethe ending made me smile and I am impressed with the idea of a 99 word story...might introduce that to my writing group
ReplyDeletezannierose A-Z
Thanks Zannie :-)
DeletePoor jackal! Stereotyping really doesn't help anyone! Nice post :)
ReplyDeleteJust Listen
Thank You Swathi :-)
DeleteYour fiction is deep and thought provoking. You have put forth simple ideas and deep messages at the same time so adeptly.
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot :-)
DeleteStereotyping never helped anybody but people never stop stereotyping either :(
ReplyDeleteIrony of life :-/
Deleteah! I almost expected the jackal to attack the animals once they shared their food with me...count me as one of those who stereotyped the poor jackal!! :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha :D
Delete