FABLE XLIII
by Unknown · from Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse
Adapted Version
Once there was a hungry Wolf. He took sheep from the Shepherd. The Wolf was very fast. He ran away with the sheep. The Shepherd had many sheep. He wanted to keep them safe. The Dog helped the Shepherd. The Dog tried to catch the Wolf. But the Wolf was too fast. He always got away.
One day, the Dog looked for the Wolf. He walked in the forest. He looked all around. Then he saw the Wolf's home. The Wolf was there. The Dog found the Wolf.
The Dog spoke to the Wolf. "Let us talk now," he said. "Do not fight. Be friends for a short time." The Wolf said, "Okay." They stopped fighting.
Dog asked Wolf, "Why take our sheep?" Please do not take them. You are big. You are very strong. You have big teeth. You can find other food. You can find food in the forest. You are so strong. Please let our sheep be safe.
The Dog said, "Good animals help small animals. Strong animals help weak animals. Our sheep are small. They are weak. Please be kind to them. You are a good, strong animal. Please show kindness. Please do not hurt the sheep."
The Wolf said, "No, Dog. I am a wolf. Wolves eat sheep. This is what wolves do. I am hungry. I must eat. I must eat to live. My stomach needs food. I need to eat sheep. This is my way. I am a wolf."
Wolf said, "Master eats sheep too." The Shepherd eats many sheep. He eats more sheep than I do. He takes many sheep. Why do you not talk to him? Why do you not ask him to stop? You should talk to your master. He eats many, many sheep.
The Dog thought about the Wolf's words. It was a new idea for him. He knew the Wolf would still be hungry.
Original Story
FABLE XLIII.
THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND THE WOLF.
A Wolf, with hunger fierce and bold,
Ravaged the plains, and thinned the fold;
Deep in the wood secure he lay,
The thefts of night regaled the day.
In vain the shepherd's wakeful care
Had spread the toils, and watched the snare;
In vain the Dog pursued his pace,
The fleeter robber mocked the chase.
As Lightfoot ranged the forest round,
By chance his foe's retreat he found:
"Let us awhile the war suspend,
And reason as from friend to friend."
"A truce!" replies the Wolf. 'Tis done.
The Dog the parley thus begun:—
"How can that strong, intrepid mind
Attack a weak, defenceless kind?
Those jaws should prey on nobler food,
And drink the boar's and lion's blood;
Great souls with generous pity melt,
Which coward tyrants never felt.
How harmless is our fleecy care!
Be brave, and let thy mercy spare."
"Friend," says the Wolf, "the matter weigh:
Nature designed us beasts of prey;
As such, when hunger finds a treat,
'Tis necessary Wolves should eat.
If, mindful of the bleating weal,
Thy bosom burn with real zeal,
Hence, and thy tyrant lord beseech;
To him repeat the moving speech.
A Wolf eats sheep but now and then;
Ten thousands are devoured by men."
MORAL.
An open foe may prove a curse,
But a pretended friend is worse.
Story DNA
Moral
An open foe may prove a curse, but a pretended friend is worse.
Plot Summary
A wolf relentlessly preys on a shepherd's flock, evading the dog's pursuit. The shepherd's dog, Lightfoot, eventually finds the wolf's lair and proposes a truce to discuss their conflict. The Dog appeals to the Wolf's 'noble' nature, urging him to hunt stronger prey and show mercy to the defenceless sheep. The Wolf, however, dismisses this, stating his nature as a predator and the necessity of eating, then cleverly shifts the blame by pointing out that humans (the Dog's own master) devour far more sheep than any wolf.
Themes
Emotional Arc
conflict to philosophical debate
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
Fables often reflect societal hierarchies and power dynamics, using animals to critique human behavior without direct confrontation.
Plot Beats (7)
- A fierce wolf frequently raids a shepherd's flock, eluding capture by the shepherd and his dog.
- The shepherd's dog, Lightfoot, eventually locates the wolf's hidden den.
- Lightfoot proposes a temporary truce to the wolf so they can discuss the situation peacefully.
- The Dog attempts to persuade the Wolf to stop preying on sheep, appealing to his supposed strength and nobility, suggesting he hunt more formidable animals.
- The Dog argues that a truly 'great soul' would show mercy to the weak and defenceless sheep.
- The Wolf responds by asserting that his predatory nature is inherent and eating is a necessity for survival.
- The Wolf cleverly shifts the blame, pointing out that humans (the Dog's 'tyrant lord') consume far more sheep than any wolf, implying the Dog should address his own master's actions instead.
Characters
The Wolf
A large, lean, and powerful wolf with a gaunt frame indicative of frequent hunger, but still possessing formidable musculature. His coat is likely a grizzled grey or dark brown, matted and coarse from living in the wild. His eyes are sharp and cunning, reflecting his predatory nature.
Attire: None, as he is a wild animal. His 'wardrobe' is his natural fur coat.
Wants: Survival and satisfying his hunger. He believes his actions are justified by nature.
Flaw: His insatiable hunger and inherent predatory nature make him an unchangeable threat, incapable of true empathy or reform.
He remains unchanged. He uses the 'parley' as an opportunity to justify his nature rather than to consider changing it.
Cunning, pragmatic, self-serving, logical (from his own perspective), and unapologetically predatory. He is not swayed by sentiment.
Lightfoot
A strong, agile shepherd's dog, likely a breed known for speed and endurance, such as a Border Collie or a similar working dog. His coat is probably a mix of black and white or brown and white, well-muscled from constant activity. He is swift and vigilant.
Attire: None, as he is an animal. His 'wardrobe' is his natural fur coat.
Wants: To protect his flock and his master. He is driven by a sense of duty and a desire for peace.
Flaw: His idealism and belief that a predator can be reasoned with or swayed by appeals to mercy. He underestimates the Wolf's inherent nature.
He attempts to reason with the Wolf, but the story implies his efforts are futile, reinforcing the moral that some natures cannot be changed by words.
Intrepid, loyal, earnest, somewhat naive, and compassionate. He believes in the possibility of reason and mercy, even in his enemies.
The Shepherd
A sturdy, weathered man, likely of average height, with a build hardened by outdoor labor. His skin is tanned and lined from exposure to the elements. He is vigilant and responsible for his flock.
Attire: Simple, durable peasant clothing typical of a shepherd: a coarse wool tunic or shirt, sturdy trousers, and perhaps a sheepskin vest for warmth. Practical leather boots and a wide-brimmed hat to protect from sun and rain.
Wants: To protect his flock and ensure their safety and well-being, which is his livelihood.
Flaw: His human limitations against a cunning, swift predator like the Wolf, despite his best efforts.
Remains a constant, vigilant presence, representing the human effort to protect against natural dangers.
Wakeful, caring (for his flock), diligent, and practical. He takes his duties seriously.
Locations
The Ravaged Plains
Open, windswept plains where sheep graze, now showing signs of predation with thinned flocks.
Mood: Vulnerable, exposed, tense due to recent attacks
The Wolf's initial depredations on the sheep fold, highlighting the shepherd's futile efforts to protect his flock.
The Wolf's Retreat in the Wood
A dense, secure part of the forest where the Wolf hides after his nightly hunts, likely a secluded den or thicket.
Mood: Secluded, safe, hidden, a place of rest and concealment
Lightfoot the Dog discovers the Wolf's hiding place, leading to their unexpected parley.