There was no other way but to go back to the donkey and coax it with more cunning words.  Who knows, it might be persuaded back to freedom.  The jackal was right.

The next day, when the washman was again taking his midday nap, the jackal casually passed the donkey and said, “That was an awful shock yesterday! That monster had to jump up just as we were passing.  However, it has since been bitten by a snake and died, so there is no more danger to be feared from that side.  What I was coming to see you for was that I had a request from a she-donkey who lives not far from my home.  She is lonely, though still young, and wants me to find her a suitable husband.  She lives in a large, lush field where she is growing fat.  I could certainly introduce you if you were interested.  Why don’t you come with me? Here, let me take that bridle off your neck.  There, that’s better.  This way, please.”

Yes, my friend, you would not believe it, but the donkey followed the jackal again into the forest, along the same path where the lion was waiting. This time, he was not sleepy, nor did he miss when he jumped.  His jaw was still powerful enough to bite right through the donkey’s neck.  “A strange marriage,” the donkey thought as he died.  The lion ordered the jackal to divide the body.  While the lion rested, the jackal divided the dead donkey in two equal parts, but he took the heart away and hid it for himself.

The jackal put the legs and joints and guts of the donkey in two equal heaps.  When the lion was ready, he began to eat.  He devoured his half of the donkey and started gobbling up the other heap while the jackal was still chewing his first piece.  “This is my heap,” cried the jackal.  “You have eaten your share already!” Unperturbed, the lion went on eating until the whole donkey had disappeared.  The jackal could not eat so fast, in spite of his greed.  This is the origin of the expression “the lion’s share,” which means the whole thing.

When all the meat was finished, the lion asked, “Where is the heart of this animal? You know that I need the heart for my health, to rejuvenate my aging body.” “Did you really think,” replied the jackal, “that such a stupid animal had a heart? Only intelligent animals have a heart!”

Poor donkey! He trusted the jackal twice but should have seen through the scheme from the beginning. It was a frame-up, as they say.