(“It is related O auspicious king, that there was once, in the antiquity of time and the passage of age and of the moment, a lion, a fox and a peacock lived on the borders of the sea…”) 

As in the rich and fabulous stories from the ‘The Thousand Nights and One Night’, Arab legends, folklore and parables included stories and tales of animals in their environment. Some of the animals they have hunted, some domesticated, of others they have been afraid, and many have been used as symbols for beauty, power, honesty, wisdom, etc.. Sufi thought, pantheistic Muslim mysticism, used animals in their parables to convey deep inner meaning: i.e. “The destiny of a wolf cub is to become a wolf, even if it is reared among men.” These wondrous tales and parables on nature’s creatures, both rich in pleasure and wisdom, have been passed from one generation to the other. 

It is not filling to start with the lion. The size, strength and magnificent appearance of the lion caused it to be associated in Arab lore with royalty and power and treated with respect and awe. In the Arab proverbs, the animal is used as a symbol for the strong, the ruler and representing the upper social classes. There are many tales of the magnanimity of the lion in which the beast spares or befriends human beings. In contrast, the lion in some Arab folk tales may be depicted as easily outwitted by smaller and weaker animals. Here is one of the tales, “One day a lion found a fox leaning against a rock. In answer to lion’s inquiry, the fox said that the rock was liable to fall, and would the all powerful King of Beasts help to support it..” The end of the tale has it that the lion obligingly puts its weight against a perfectly stable rock while the fox snuck away.. 

The fox is regarded in Eastern tales with symbolism of slyness, cunning, hypocrisy, craftiness; a black fox is good luck; a white fox calamity; three foxes, disaster. “Beware the sweet before the fox has sprung; the fox behind the honey of his tongue.” Sometimes in legends, he is wise and a lover, other times, he is regarded with enmity, especially when he meets animal like a hedgehog, which is the most lovable animal in Arab folklore, symbolizing patience and wisdom. 

The wolf, on the other hand, is viewed as a ferocious animal; and eternal enmity betwee4n it and the Arab and Bedouin farmers and shepherds. The Koran mentions the animal as a devourer of sheep, fierce and voracious. “The wolf of the evening…” Although, fear of the wolves is a natural human reaction, the friendly wolf does appear in Arab myths and stories. 

Similarly, the hyena is regarded as a cruel man-eating animal, two-faced and impure. Arab mythology, views the animal as Satan feeding on the damned, “their massive jaws crushing the bones of the unfaithful: Their chilling laughter cover the cries of the anguished”. The leopard is regarded in the same fashion – cruel, ferocious, and aggressive. The Leopard’s spots resembling eyes; thus, in Arab legend, the animal is termed the ‘great watcher’. 

Camels, donkeys, horses and the ox – the beasts of burden enlisted by the Arabs to provided transport, labor and essentials of life – food, clothing and shelter. Sufi mystic parables are rich in their symbolic usage of these animals. “The camel-driver has his plans; and the camel has its own plans.” – “speed, which becomes a virtue when found in a horse, by itself, has no advantages.” Other parables symbolically, compare the requirements needed as a certain time and place, “on the day of the battle it is the slender horse – not the lumbering ox – that will be of use.” Limitations of animals are mentioned, “The Arab horse speeds fast; the camel plods slowly, but it goes by night and day.” – this proverb speaks for itself, “A donkey laden with books is neither and an intellect nor a wise man.” 

The gazelle in Arab mythology can change places with the antelope, deer or goat. The gazelle is mentioned in Arab poetic verse as a means to describe a beautiful woman and her romantic charms. ‘My heart a pasture for gazelles.” (Ibn Arabi) 

Stories of birds are few in Arab folklore, symbolizing mainly the seasons and changes in the weather. The dove represents the summer: the starling a good, rainy year; and the lapwing drought. Only the eagle has earned the title ‘King of Heaven'; the other raptors are all called ‘Nisr’, Arabic for birds of prey. However, in classical Arab literature there is a sharp distinction between the various birds of prey, seen in people’s names, like Aqab (buzzard) and Seqr (falcon, etc.. There are also many animal names given to people, like Shibi (lion), Asad as well as Dib (wolf), Nimer (leopard), Fahd (cheetah), and many others. 

To end – remember these words of Koranic thought…”The Prophet had said that a man, on the Day of Restoration, is raised up in the form of one or another animal corresponding to his leading characteristic. His form appears to change to that of the animal or other form which he internally resembled, rather that his human shape. In his sleep, man sees himself as human; he may, however, according to his dominant tendency, as a sheep, an ox, a donkey or as.. a boar..