It is a very old story most often told by grandfathers to their grandchildren. For grandfathers you must know have lived a long time and experienced the story’s truth. My grandfather told it to me when I was young. Our family was visiting him again in the summer one year when he decided it was a good time. We would drive from California to eastern Montana every summer. Those summers were filled with wheat harvest, horse riding, hunting, fishing, swimming, but this summer one evening my grandpa put away his harmonica, fiddle and plug tobacco to get serious with me. He had lived through blessing and hardship, and knew it was time to prepare me for my own life ahead.
“Patrick, I want you to know an important truth. Inside every human being are two wolves. There is a wolf of light who is full of love, grace, compassion and kindness. And there is the dark wolf full of anger, fear and meanness. All of our life these two wolves are battling within us trying to be in charge of our life.”
“Oh my gosh Grandpa what can I do. Which wolf will win?!” Grandpa replied simply, “The one you feed.”
It is a very short story, but so important for young people to hear, actually old people too. I tell it a lot among children and often at schools where I’m asked to come, and of course at my own grandchildren’s school. I have been impressed by even kindergartners when I ask them “how do we feed those wolves?” “By being kind to others. By sharing on the playground. By sharing my lunch. By helping someone who is hurt.” They always know. And they know too what feeding the dark wolf looks like; calling people names, being a bully, etc.
The story stays with students and their teachers too. Bringing up the two wolves is often an easy, nonthreatening way to change poor behavior, or also to reward the good.
Feed your good wolf and you can change the world for the better.
Patrick Perching Eagle
