Thursday, August 9, 2007

Cherokee Story: Two Wolves

A Cherokee Elder was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them, "A fight is going on inside me... it is a terrible fight between two wolves.

One wolf represents fear, anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride and superiority.

The other stands for joy, peace, love, hope, sharing, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, friendship, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too."

They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old man simply replied, "The one you feed."



Another version:

The Wolves Within - Cherokee

An old Grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a
friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great 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 poison and wishing your enemy would die.

"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 when no offense was intended.

He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will send
him into a fit of temper.

He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason.

He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless
anger, for his anger will change nothing.

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 Grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed."

http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/TwoWolves-Cherokee.html

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