The Wolves and the Sheepdogs

Summary

This story is a cautionary tale about deception and the dangers of betrayal. It involves wolves who try to persuade sheepdogs to abandon their role of protecting sheep, appealing to their sense of kinship and promising a share of the sheep. They criticize the dogs' servitude to humans, claiming that the dogs receive little benefit for their loyalty and labor. Enticed by the wolves' offer of freedom and shared rewards, the sheepdogs agree to join the wolves. However, once they enter the wolves' den, the promise is broken, and the sheepdogs are savagely attacked and killed. The narrative highlights themes of loyalty, trust, and the peril of being swayed by false promises, serving as a lesson about the importance of discernment and the potential consequences of choosing the wrong allies.

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The Wolves thus addressed the Sheepdogs: “Why should you, who are like us in so many things, not be entirely of one mind with us, and live with us as brothers should? We differ from you in one point only. We live in freedom, but you bow down to and slave for men, who in return for your services flog you with whips and put collars on your necks. They make you also guard their sheep, and while they eat the mutton throw only the bones to you. If you will be persuaded by us, you will give us the sheep, and we will enjoy them in common, till we all are surfeited.” The Dogs listened favorably to these proposals, and, entering the den of the Wolves, they were set upon and torn to pieces.