Aesop's Fable- The House Dog and the Hungry Wolf

There was once a hungry wolf that wandered from a mossy, primeval forest to the countryside in search of something to eat. He had been seeking determinedly for some time. As dusk settled the wolf neared a village. Pools of light had begun to spring from the glow of fire and lantern against the approaching night. There he spotted a dog. This dog appeared well fed, even plump, and content. He approached warily and greeted the dog- “Hello, friend. You look well. How is it that you appear so comfortable and without hunger?”

The dog perked up, startled but replied- “Greetings! Indeed, I am quite well satiated. If you wish to see how, you need only follow me and I will show you.”

To the wolf the dog had an air of contentment about him, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that he also was lacking in some capacity. The wolf could not quite pinpoint what it was, which unnerved him but he dismissed it as an unfounded misgiving. As they walked, the dog explained- “I will take you to my owner. They give plenty to eat and a warm place to sleep. I just have to protect the house and frighten off strangers and thieves when the need arises, and please the people of the house. If you come along, you can live like me as well!”

This sounded very appealing to the wolf. “It has been challenging of late in the forest. Food has been scarce and the winter especially biting cold,” he said. “It makes for bitter work.”

As they proceeded, however, the wolf noticed something about the dog’s neck. The fur was worn away and the skin chafed. Curiosity piqued, the wolf could not resist inquiring about it with the dog. “What is that mark about your neck?” The dog stated- “Ah, that is from my collar and chain.”

“Collar and chain?” probed the wolf. “Are you not able to go freely to and fro?”

“Oh I can at times” replied the dog. “At night I roam to protect the house though during the day I am chained. And other people are sometimes

afraid I may be savage myself! But I am shown such favor, fed directly from the dinner plates sometimes. One grows accustomed to it.”

The wolf halted in his tracks. After a few more steps the dog noticed and turned.

“I appreciate the offer” said the wolf, shaking his head. “But I must decline. The cost is too high. Better to be hungry and free and well fed and chained, even if it means procuring my own food.”

Beware sacrificing liberty and freedom for comfort and security accompanied with a chain. Plain fare tastes better with freedom against stifling luxury with manacles.