How the Jackal Gained his Freedom

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In the islands of the Crowded Sea (it is said, and shame to the one who claims that I lie) there float a group of islands not owned by ins, where the order of the world is inverted. Here ins live mute and animals rule. Why this is so happened a long time ago.

When the world was created from the Great Ocean, Fate, which rules all things, summoned her children and cast lots for each division of being—god, genie, ins, and animal. First to come forward was the pasha of the gods. For him Fate drew the expanses beyond mortal ken, and it pleased that pasha greatly. "Brothers, they have taken the greatest," said the jackal, lord of the animals, to his cousins. Next rose the four viziers of the genies, and it was their lot to inhabit the elemental realms. "No warmth, no water for us," bemoaned the jackal loudly so all could hear. Third was called fourth the sultan of the ins. Of that which remained, Fate's lot decreed the ins masters of the mortal realm. Now the jackal turned to the other animals and said, "Brothers there are no more lots to be cast and only the worst remains for us." And indeed Fate assigned to the animals the lowest lot of all, to serve the ins in all things. So the jackal said to his brothers, "Do not despair, for I will gain us a proper birthright."

Then, to the sultan of the ins, he said, "Uncle, though you are wise, your children are few. Still, Fate has generously given you the whole of the land to rule. We, who are to be your servants, are many and have no land. Should it be said that the master treats his slaves thusly? Grant us a little land that others will know you are virtuous." And the sultan of the ins thought about this and finally agreed. "There are some islands in the ocean my children can never see. These you may have for your service." And the jackal went back and told his brothers and they were pleased, but the jackal promised more.

Returning once again to the diwan of the ins, he made as in mourning, entering the court wailing and moaning. "Why grieve you so?" asked the sultan of the ins. "Uncle, may virtue shine upon you," the jackal answered. "I showed my brothers your generous lands and they were greatly pleased to run freely through the forests. But quickly they fell squabbling as to who would rule what island. Uncle, your servants are foolish, without speech or learning. You have given them a great gift, but they have not the mind to understand it. How much greater would you be if your servants could defend and nourish the gift you have given them. Grant them wisdom so that they may understand your true generosity." And again the sultan of the ins pondered this until finally he reached a decision. "Truly jackal, you are right. Greater will I be if the animals govern themselves. Let my servants have the wisdom they need." Then the jackal rose up with a great smile. "Foolish ins, you have given away the greatest of your gifts and never need we serve you again!" By the sultan's own words, the animals were freed of their servitude. Thus have they roamed wild, and man has had to work hard ever since. And on one set of distant isles, the animals are more than wild, for over these lands they rule and men must serve their whims.