There was a small pack of jaguars prowling the damp, green darkness of the jungle. Of the group, there was one that was particularly small in size, but had lofty goals. He wanted to lead his brothers, be recognized as their better, but to do so would usually involve physically defeating each of this brethren. Due to his small size, he knew there was no chance of that... so he hatched a plan derived of cleverness rather than strength.
While his brothers slept, the small jaguar would sneak away to the nearest village of people and watch them. He watched to learn the way they hunted, he watched to learn how they laid their traps, he watched to learn how they travelled. He watched how they farmed their crops, he watched how they herded their animals, he watched how they guarded both. He watched how they built things, and fixed things, and took things apart. He watched them over the course of several nights, always lying low in the underbrush on the edge of their little villages. He stayed and watched and learned all the humans' secrets.
Before his brothers awoke, he would sneak back. He would cover his trail as best as he could manage, and never told them where he went at night.
After some time had passed, there was a stretch of days where finding prey was growing difficult. That's when the small jaguar finally piped up, telling his brothers that he could lead them to easy, fat food. When they pressed for details, he refused to share; he would show take them there, and share and share alike, but the secrets were his alone. The rumble in their bellies made their decision for them, so they let the small jaguar lead the way.
When they strayed too close to a hidden trap, the small jaguar would point out the danger, but not how he recognized it. When they hunted the villages herd of animals, he would tell them the best and safest time to strike, but not how he knew when to avoid the guards. When they were thirsty, he'd let them know which bank to be on and would build them a simple bridge to get there.
If they needed something, he would lead them to that thing himself. If they were looking for something, he would look for it himself. If they wanted something made, he would build it himself. But if they wanted to know, he would not tell. The jaguars were fat and fed and comfortable preying on the village, so the brothers were more than happy to let the small jaguar keep his secrets and be their leader.
After a few weeks of easy living, the pack were making their way in the trees, with the small jaguar in the lead. His head was held high and proud... and this was probably why he did not see the covered pit trap until he was within it. He landed poorly, broke his jaw, and broke all his legs.
His brother above asked what they should do, what they could do to help. The small jaguar could not make himself understood.
Are there other traps nearby, little brother? He could see out of the pit he was in.
When will the humans come to check the pit, little brother? He could not make his cries and mumbles understood.
Is there something we could fashion to help you out, little brother? His paws were to mangled to show them how to build.
Is there anything we could give you so you can get yourself out, little brother? No, he was helpless by himself down in the hole.
The pack circled around the hole for a bit, looking down at their poor packmate, but in the end realized they could not assist. They choose a direction that looked wettest and darkness and thickest with green, and left their brother to with his secrets.