Two Wolves Within

The Two Wolves Within

A wise old Indian Grandfather said to his grandson, who ask him what to do about a schoolmate who had done him wrong; "Let me tell you a story, son. I too, at times, have felt a great anger and sometimes hate, for those that 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 a poison inside your body and wishing your enemy to suffer. I have struggled with these feelings many times."

He 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 to everything that happens. It is because he is at peace with himself."

"But the other wolf, ah! - he is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time. He cannot think because his anger, hate and jealousy are so great. But it changes nothing outside of himself. It only changes him.

"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 wise old Indian smiled and said, "The one I feed, son; the one I feed."

[The story is also told as spirit man and carnal man. It is a story about how we perceive life.]

~ Author Unknown ~