In this amusing folktale from Tunisia, two friends work a modest farm together, until clever Hedgehog twice gets the better of Jackal, in the division of the fruits of their labor, thereby putting an end to their partnership. When Jackal chooses the portion of the wheat crop that is in the ground, he soon discovers his mistake. But when he chooses the portion of the onion crop above the ground, and realizes that he's been fooled twice, he decides he's had enough...

This type of tale, in which two individuals agree to split a crop, top and bottom, with one always getting the worst of it, has many variants in world folklore, including the appropriately named English Tops and Bottoms. Harold Berson's Why the Jackal Won't Speak to the Hedgehog, related to the author by a Tunisian friend, has a simple but engaging narrative, and expressive illustrations - in black, white and blue - that capture the North African landscape. Well worth the time of any young folklorist! ( )