The Two Wolves

When I saw this photo I thought of a legend I'd read somewhere and thought you might like to hear it.

A Native American tale told many times around the Sacred Fire...

"The old man sat by the fire watching the smoke rise as he listened to his grandson, his eyes growing troubled as he noted the anger and hatred in the boy's words as he told of the injustice a friend had done to him. When the boy had finished the old man looked up at his grandson.
"Let me tell you a story ", he said as he motioned for the boy to sit by him. "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 is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times."
The boy sat at his grandfather's side, silent as the anger subsided and the older man continued.

"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 offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his energy for the right fight.

But the other wolf, ahhh!

He is full of anger. The smallest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all 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."


"Which one wins, Grandfather?"

The Grandfather smiled and said quietly

"The one I feed.

farmeranderwin/legends.