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Thursday, August 26, 2010

The fable of the two wolves...

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is Good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

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I've thrown many a juicy steak to the Evil Wolf.....it approaches with snarling teeth, then snatches the food and runs. Why feed a snarling wolf in the first place? If you have to throw the steak to avoid getting your hand bitten off, what's the point?

On the other hand, if I feed the Good Wolf, I've noticed that the Good Wolf nuzzles my hand before gently taking food, then hangs out for a while, sitting at my feet. There is no fear when feeding a creature that trusts you.

Which Wolf do YOU feed?

4 comments:

Charles said...

Love this fable. Now the fable of Fenris. Another wolf awaiting Ragnarok.

Shang Lee said...

everytime i held out food, the evil wolf snatches, but the good wolf always wins it back, even if i don't really want to feed it. that good wolf have some big ego to be good, which i don't like sometimes. maybe the good wolf is an evil wolf in disguise...

Frank said...

Love this... My Ojibwa grandmother always said that our lives are like gardens. With care, we can till and sow and reap what is good, or we can grow thistles and briers and thorns.

Restita, Seattle Wushu Center said...

Frank, I love your Grandmother's view too! :) Thank you for sharing!