THE WOLVES and THE DOGS
by Aesop · from Aesop's Fables; a new translation
Adapted Version
Once, there were some big, grey Wolves. There were also some Dogs. The Wolves and the Dogs were not friends. The Wolves talked to the Dogs. "Why are we not friends?" the Wolves asked. "We are much alike. We can be friends now."
The Wolves spoke more. "You work hard for humans," they said. "You wear big collars. Humans make you watch their sheep. You do not always get good food. They give you bones. This is not fair for you."
The Wolves had an idea. "Leave your humans," they said. "Do not help them with the sheep. Come with us. We will take the sheep. We will all eat well. We will be free. It will be a good life."
The Wolves smiled. "You will be free," they promised. "No more collars for you. No more watching sheep. You will eat much good food with us. We will feast together. It will be fun. We will be happy."
The Dogs listened to the Wolves. They thought about it. "This is a good idea!" they thought. They felt tired of their work. They said "Yes" to the Wolves. They wanted to be free.
So, the Dogs followed the Wolves. They walked far. They went to the Wolves' home. It was a dark den. The den was deep in the woods. The Dogs felt a little scared.
The Dogs went inside the den. But the Wolves were not true friends. The Wolves were very mean. They growled loudly at the Dogs. They chased the Dogs away. The Dogs ran fast. They ran out of the dark den. They ran into the big woods. They were very scared. They were lost and alone. They had no home now. Their old home was gone.
The Dogs were very sad. They had no home. It is not good to trust strangers. Strangers might promise too much. You might lose your home. You might lose your good friends. Always be careful. Think before you act.
Original Story
THE WOLVES AND THE DOGS
Once upon a time the Wolves said to the Dogs, "Why should we continue to be enemies any longer? You are very like us in most ways: the main difference between us is one of training only. We live a life of freedom; but you are enslaved to mankind, who beat you, and put heavy collars round your necks, and compel you to keep watch over their flocks and herds for them, and, to crown all, they give you nothing but bones to eat. Don't put up with it any longer, but hand over the flocks to us, and we will all live on the fat of the land and feast together." The Dogs allowed themselves to be persuaded by these words, and accompanied the Wolves into their den. But no sooner were they well inside than the Wolves set upon them and tore them to pieces.
Traitors richly deserve their fate.
Story DNA
Moral
Traitors richly deserve their fate, and one should be wary of those who offer easy gains through betrayal.
Plot Summary
The Wolves approach the Dogs, suggesting they end their enmity and unite. They highlight the Dogs' servitude to humans, promising a life of freedom and shared abundance if the Dogs betray their masters and hand over the flocks. Persuaded by these words, the Dogs accompany the Wolves to their den, only to be immediately attacked and torn to pieces by the treacherous Wolves. The fable concludes with the moral that traitors deserve their fate.
Themes
Emotional Arc
hope to despair
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Aesop's Fables often reflect simple societal structures and moral lessons pertinent to everyday life in ancient Greece.
Plot Beats (8)
- The Wolves initiate a conversation with the Dogs, questioning their continued enmity.
- The Wolves point out the Dogs' subservient life to humans, enduring beatings, collars, and meager food.
- The Wolves propose that the Dogs betray their human masters by handing over the flocks.
- The Wolves promise a shared life of freedom and abundant feasting if the Dogs comply.
- The Dogs are convinced by the Wolves' arguments and agree to the plan.
- The Dogs accompany the Wolves back to their den.
- Upon entering the den, the Wolves immediately turn on the Dogs and kill them.
- The story concludes with a direct moral about traitors receiving their just deserts.
Characters
⚔
The Wolves
Lean and powerful canines, with muscular builds indicative of a life of hunting in the wild. Their fur is thick and matted, ranging from grey to dark brown, providing camouflage in their natural habitat. They move with a predatory grace, their bodies coiled with latent energy.
Attire: None, as they are wild animals.
Wants: To gain easy access to food (the flocks and herds) without the effort of hunting, and to eliminate potential rivals (the Dogs).
Flaw: Overconfidence in their ability to deceive, and a fundamental inability to truly cooperate or share, leading to immediate betrayal.
They remain unchanged, acting purely on their predatory nature and reinforcing their role as cunning deceivers.
Cunning, deceptive, persuasive, predatory, opportunistic.
★
The Dogs
Sturdy and well-fed canines, with varying breeds implied by their role as guardians of flocks. Their fur is likely cleaner and better groomed than the Wolves', but they bear the marks of servitude: heavy collars around their necks. They are strong but perhaps a little less agile than their wild counterparts.
Attire: Heavy, thick leather collars, possibly with metal studs or rings, indicating their servitude and role as guardians.
Wants: To escape their perceived servitude, gain more freedom, and access better food, believing the Wolves' promises.
Flaw: Their naivety and discontent, which makes them susceptible to flattery and false promises, leading to their downfall.
They fall from a state of relative security (albeit one of servitude) to utter destruction due to their poor judgment and betrayal of their masters.
Gullible, discontent, trusting (to their detriment), dutiful (initially), easily swayed.
Locations
The Borderlands
A transitional, wild area where the territories of wolves and humans (and their dogs) meet, likely characterized by sparse vegetation and natural boundaries.
Mood: Initially tense and cautious, then deceptively persuasive and hopeful for the dogs.
The initial meeting and negotiation between the wolves and the dogs, where the wolves present their deceptive offer.
The Wolves' Den
A dark, confined space, likely a cave or a deep burrow, hidden away in a wild, remote area, smelling of earth and wild animals.
Mood: Initially appears as a place of promised feasting and camaraderie, but quickly turns into a deadly, claustrophobic trap.
The dogs are led into the den, where the wolves immediately turn on them and tear them to pieces.