The Dog and the Wolf

Today I will share another of Aesop’s fine fables. It’s been a while since I shared something of this nature, but this fable has a beautiful message.

A gaunt Wolf was almost dead with hunger when he happened to meet a House-dog who was passing by. “Ah, Cousin,” said the Dog. “I knew how it would be; your irregular life will soon be the ruin of you. Why do you not work steadily as I do, and get your food regularly given to you?”

“I would have no objection,” said the Wolf, “if I could only get a place.”

“I will easily arrange that for you,” said the Dog; “come with me to my master and you shall share my work.”

So the Wolf and the Dog went towards the town together. On the way there the Wolf noticed that the hair on a certain part of the Dog’s neck was very much worn away, so he asked him how that had come about.

“Oh, it is nothing,” said the Dog. “That is only the place where the collar is put on at night to keep me chained up; it chafes a bit, but one soon gets used to it.”

“Is that all?” said the Wolf. “Then good-bye to you, Master Dog.”

Better starve free than be a fat slave.

Better starve free than be a fat slave! There are certain laws one must abide by, universal laws, state laws, family laws and work laws. But once you are aware of the situation, you can choose your attitude towards it. Like the wolf in the above fable, he knows the laws, the demands if he wants regular food, but he is not interested in it. He made the choice to be free and hungry.

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6 responses to “The Dog and the Wolf

  1. Alex Jones

    There are of course degrees of liberation, but the wolf makes the point of being free from the authority of another over his life.

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  2. One of Aesop’s more powerful and direct messages.

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  3. Reblogged this on shafiqah1 and commented:
    Aesop’s fable of the Dog and the Wolf… I am always a Wolf, though such freedom is a consistent challenge it is indeed better to ” starve free than be a fat slave.”

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    • Amen to that! One does’nt appreciate things that come easily. Much better to work hard and attain it by the sweat of ones own brow. I too can feel the need to be a free wolf, and will continue my efforts towards this. Knowning that you are also striving will help me.
      Thank you 🙂

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