The Wolf and the Fox

Summary

This story centers on a Wolf who, due to his exceptional strength, size, and speed, earns the nickname 'Lion' from his fellow wolves. Misinterpreting this as a literal comparison, the Wolf decides to leave his pack and join the lions, believing himself to be one of them. An observant and cunning Fox criticizes the Wolf's pride and self-deception, pointing out that while he may be impressive among wolves, he remains a wolf among lions. The tale explores themes of identity, self-awareness, and the folly of assuming a role or status that doesn't align with one's true nature, serving as a caution against vanity and the failure to recognize one's true place in the world.

Read Online

At one time a very large and strong Wolf was born among the wolves, who exceeded all his fellow-wolves in strength, size, and swiftness, so that they unanimously decided to call him “Lion.” The Wolf, with a lack of sense proportioned to his enormous size, thought that they gave him this name in earnest, and, leaving his own race, consorted exclusively with the lions. An old sly Fox, seeing this, said, “May I never make myself so ridiculous as you do in your pride and self-conceit; for even though you have the size of a lion among wolves, in a herd of lions you are definitely a wolf.”