Story: The Wolves Within

Subject: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Auxiris
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 05:02 AM

Dear friends, I'd like to pass this story along to you, sent to me two days ago by a friend. Unfortunately, I do not know who wrote it or which tradition it comes from, so I cannot give appropriate credit. If anyone knows where the story comes from, I'd appreciate some information about its origins:

THE WOLVES WITHIN

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice. . .

"Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt great hate for those who have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down and does not hurt your enemy. It's like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.

I have struggled with these feelings many times.

It is as if there are two wolves inside me; one is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offence when no offence was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so and in the right way.

But. . . the other wolf. . . ah! The littlest thing will send him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all of the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

As always, a bit of nonsense just to make sure the entire cut-and-pasted story makes it onto the post! blah, blah, blah and patati and patata, etc., etc., etc., blah, blah, bl

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: wysiwyg
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 09:05 AM

GOOD one.

~S~

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: MMario
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 09:07 AM

Thanks for sending that along - I hope someone recognizes it - it would be interesting to know out of what tradition it derives.

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:01 PM

I've copied this to give to the emotionally disturbed children I teach. Any more anyone?

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Auxiris
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 02:31 PM

Hi, everyone; here's hoping that someone can shed some light on the origin of this story!

cheers,

Aux

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: SINSULL
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 06:49 PM

Auxiris,
Thank you. Wise words for these times.
Mary

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 07:09 PM

Aux, It sounds Native American in origin. I've sent it to a Lakota friend of mine to see if she knows of it.

Really beautiful story. Thank you.

Wyrd Sister, you might check The Mudcat Songbook, Storyteller's part. There are several stories in there which might be of interest.

Thanks,

kat

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Paul from Hull
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 08:16 PM

Good story

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Sep 01 - 10:57 PM

Here is what my Lakotah friend says:

Yeah I have heard this story before and it is Native American but I don't know from where it comes....I just heard it from Super but I think he used dogs in the story. But it is Native American.

"Super" is her big brother. He is what most would call a Medicine Man, but he prefers the term "Interpreter." He's got good medicine. I went to a sweat he held one time and it was an incredible experience I will never forget.

kat

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Hollowfox
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 12:31 PM

I just saw this posted on another (medieval) forum I take part in. I passed on the question of origin there. When I get an answer, I'll pass it on here. Excellent story, no matter where it came from. Mary (with three teenagers)

Subject: RE: Story: The Wolves Within
From: Wyrd Sister
Date: 27 Sep 01 - 03:06 PM

OK, so my group of three 'extremely challenging' pupils are all arguing and scrapping over nothing, so I settle them down and tell the story, with language a little simplified. They are obviously lost in thought and once more eager to please. "What kind of things do you think the good wolf would like to eat?" I ask. "Antelope!" came the proud reply.

Thanks, Kat, will have a look.