Aesop
|
Greece

The Dog and The Wolf

A wolf considers a dog's proposition of a comfortable life with humans but chooses freedom over bondage.
Freedom
Contentment
Choice
The Dog and The Wolf
Audio available for B1 version

One day, a hungry wolf was wandering through the countryside in search of food. As he roamed near a village, he came across a well-fed and healthy-looking dog. The wolf was envious of the dog's condition and asked him how he managed to be so plump and content.

The dog replied, "I live with humans, who provide me with food and shelter. In return, I guard their home."

The wolf, enticed by the dog's words, considered the proposition. "Perhaps I could join you in your life of ease?"

The dog agreed, "Come with me, and I will introduce you to my master."

As they walked together, the wolf noticed a worn patch on the dog's neck. He asked, "What happened to your neck?"

The dog replied, "That is where my collar rests. My master ties me up during the day, and at night, he releases me to guard the property."

The wolf, upon hearing this, stopped in his tracks. "You mean you are not free to come and go as you please?"

The dog nodded, "Yes, but I have a comfortable life with food and shelter."

After contemplating the dog's words, the wolf decided that a life of bondage, no matter how comfortable, was not for him. "Thank you for your offer, but I must decline. I would rather be free and hungry than well-fed and bound by a chain."

With that, the wolf turned around and disappeared into the woods.

On a sunny afternoon, a hungry wolf wandered through the countryside. He searched for something to eat. Near a village, he spotted a dog resting under a shady tree. The dog looked strong, well-fed, and very happy.

The wolf’s stomach growled as he watched him. "You look like you never go hungry," the wolf said, walking closer. "How do you live so well?"

The dog wagged his tail. "It’s easy!" he said. "I live with kind people. They give me food and a warm place to sleep. All I have to do is guard their house and keep them safe."

The wolf’s ears perked up. "That sounds wonderful! Do you think I could live like that too?"

"Of course!" said the dog. "Come with me, and I’ll take you to my owner. They’ll take care of you, too."

The wolf smiled and walked beside the dog, dreaming of warm meals and a soft bed. But as they strolled, he noticed something strange on the dog’s neck. "What’s that mark?" he asked.

The dog glanced down. "Oh, this? It’s from my collar. My owner ties me up during the day so I don’t wander off. But at night, I can move around to guard the house."

The wolf stopped in his tracks. "Wait… you mean you can’t go wherever you want?"

The dog nodded. "That’s right, but I get plenty of food and a cozy place to sleep, so I don’t mind."

The wolf frowned and thought for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather be free, even if it means finding my own food."

With that, he turned and trotted back into the wild, still hungry but free.

One day, a wolf is looking for food. He is hungry. He walks near a town. Then, he sees a dog. The dog looks happy and full.

The wolf asks the dog, "Why are you happy and full?"

The dog says, "I live with people. They give me food and a home. I keep their house safe."

The wolf thinks this is good. "Can I live like you?" he asks.

The dog says, "Yes, come with me."

They walk together. The wolf sees a mark on the dog's neck. "What is that?" he asks.

The dog says, "That is from my collar. It keeps me tied up in the day. At night, I am free to watch the house."

The wolf stops. "You cannot go where you want?" he asks.

The dog says, "Yes, but I am happy. I have food and a home."

The wolf thinks. Then he says, "Thank you, but no. I want to be free, even if I am hungry. I do not want to be tied up."

The wolf goes back into the forest.

On a sunny afternoon, a hungry wolf wandered through the countryside. He searched for something to eat. Near a village, he spotted a dog resting under a shady tree. The dog looked strong, well-fed, and very happy.

The wolf’s stomach growled as he watched him. "You look like you never go hungry," the wolf said, walking closer. "How do you live so well?"

The dog wagged his tail. "It’s easy!" he said. "I live with kind people. They give me food and a warm place to sleep. All I have to do is guard their house and keep them safe."

The wolf’s ears perked up. "That sounds wonderful! Do you think I could live like that too?"

"Of course!" said the dog. "Come with me, and I’ll take you to my owner. They’ll take care of you, too."

The wolf smiled and walked beside the dog, dreaming of warm meals and a soft bed. But as they strolled, he noticed something strange on the dog’s neck. "What’s that mark?" he asked.

The dog glanced down. "Oh, this? It’s from my collar. My owner ties me up during the day so I don’t wander off. But at night, I can move around to guard the house."

The wolf stopped in his tracks. "Wait… you mean you can’t go wherever you want?"

The dog nodded. "That’s right, but I get plenty of food and a cozy place to sleep, so I don’t mind."

The wolf frowned and thought for a moment. Then he took a deep breath and shook his head. "Thanks for the offer, but I’d rather be free, even if it means finding my own food."

With that, he turned and trotted back into the wild, still hungry but free.

One day, a hungry wolf, with a stomach growling like an old car engine, was wandering through the countryside, looking for something, anything, to munch on. As he sauntered near a village, he spotted a dog that looked so well-fed, he could have been mistaken for a sausage with legs.

The wolf, mouth watering and eyes as big as dinner plates, said, "Oi, you there! You look like you've swallowed a buffet! How do you manage to look so delightfully plump?"

The dog, with a smirk that said he knew something the wolf didn't, replied, "Well, you see, mate, I live with the humans. They give me food, they give me shelter, and in return, I guard their stuff. It's a dog's life, but someone's got to do it!"

The wolf, intrigued by this seemingly posh lifestyle, considered the dog's words. "Hmm, so you're living the high life, eh? Fancy! Perhaps I could join you in this world of belly rubs and gourmet meals?"

The dog, wagging his tail, agreed, "Sure thing, buddy! Come with me, and I'll introduce you to the world of fluffy pillows and unlimited treats."

As they wobbled along together, the wolf noticed a worn patch on the dog's neck and said, "Hold on, what's that around your neck? Fashion statement or battle scar?"

The dog replied, looking slightly embarrassed, "Oh, that? It's where my collar rests. You see, my master ties me up during the day, and at night, he lets me loose. Sort of like an exclusive VIP club membership."

The wolf, eyes narrowing, said, "Wait, you mean you're all tied up and stuff? You can't just come and go, dancing through the daisies?"

The dog nodded, "Yes, but hey, I've got food, shelter, and a squeaky toy that looks like a chicken! What more could a dog want?"

The wolf, stroking his chin thoughtfully, said, "Thanks for the invite, but no thanks. You see, I prefer to be free and hungry, roaming where I please. I mean, what if I want a midnight snack? Or feel like howling at the moon in a different postcode?"

And with that, the wolf gave a cheeky wink, turned around, and disappeared into the woods, leaving behind the comforts of sausages and squeaky toys for a life of freedom and wild adventures.

Beyond the town where children play,
A wolf went hunting, one bright day.
Hungry and lean, he hoped to find
A bite to eat, of any kind.

He spied a dog, both plump and spry,
"Dear dog," he asked, "how can you lie
So well-fed, content, and grand?"
"Come closer," said the dog, "I'll help you understand."

"I live with folks, who care and give,
I guard their home, so we all live
In peace and joy, and in return,
I eat and sleep, and lessons learn."

The wolf, his eyes gleaming wide,
Thought, "Could I too, in such ease reside?"
"Join me," the dog with a wagging tail said,
"Live life in comfort, not in dread."

But as they walked, the wolf did see
A mark on the dog, "What could that be?"
"That's where they tie me, night and day,
To guard their home, I must stay."

"You're bound? Not free, like wind and tree?"
The dog sighed, "True, but comfort’s guaranteed."
The wolf pondered, his freedom at stake,
Choosing between a chain and a juicy steak.

“I thank you, dog, for the invite you send,
But I cherish freedom, till the very end.
I'd rather roam, beneath the sky so grand,
Than be well-fed, with my life preplanned."

And with a nod and a howl so good,
The wolf trotted off, back to the wood.

Share
Feedback

Word Finder

  1. Wandered

    Moved around without a clear direction.

  2. Countryside

    Land with farms, trees, and small villages.

  3. Spotted

    Saw something suddenly or from far away.

  4. Growled

    Made a deep, angry stomach or animal sound.

  5. Perked

    Moved up quickly because of excitement.

  6. Strolled

    Walked slowly in a relaxed way.

  7. Strange

    Different from usual, making you curious.

  8. Collar

    A band around an animal’s neck.

  9. Tracks

    The place where someone was walking.

  10. Trotted

    Walked fast but not running.

Understanding Questions

  1. Where did the wolf see the dog for the first time?
  2. What did the dog say he had to do in exchange for food and shelter?
  3. Why did the wolf decide to follow the dog at first?
  4. What did the wolf notice on the dog’s neck?
  5. What made the wolf change his mind about living with the dog’s owner?
Word Finder
  1. Hungry

    Wanting to eat food now.

  2. Town

    A small place with many houses.

  3. Safe

    Not in danger, protected.

  4. Neck

    The part below your head.

  5. Collar

    A band around an animal's neck.

  6. Tied

    Fastened with a rope or something.

  7. Free

    Able to go anywhere.

  8. Forest

    A place with many trees.

  9. Full

    Having enough to eat.

  10. Together

    With someone else, not alone.

  1. Wandered

    Moved around without a clear direction.

  2. Countryside

    Land with farms, trees, and small villages.

  3. Spotted

    Saw something suddenly or from far away.

  4. Growled

    Made a deep, angry stomach or animal sound.

  5. Perked

    Moved up quickly because of excitement.

  6. Strolled

    Walked slowly in a relaxed way.

  7. Strange

    Different from usual, making you curious.

  8. Collar

    A band around an animal’s neck.

  9. Tracks

    The place where someone was walking.

  10. Trotted

    Walked fast but not running.

Understanding Questions
  1. Who is hungry?

    1. The dog
    2. The wolf
    3. The people
    4. The house
  2. What does the wolf see near the town?

    1. A cat
    2. A tree
    3. A dog
    4. A car
  3. Why is the dog happy?

    1. He has food.
    2. He is in the forest.
    3. He is hungry.
    4. He has no home.
  4. What is on the dog’s neck?

    1. A hat
    2. A mark
    3. A bell
    4. A toy
  5. Where does the wolf go at the end?

    1. To the mountain
    2. To the house
    3. To the forest
    4. To the town
  1. Where did the wolf see the dog for the first time?
  2. What did the dog say he had to do in exchange for food and shelter?
  3. Why did the wolf decide to follow the dog at first?
  4. What did the wolf notice on the dog’s neck?
  5. What made the wolf change his mind about living with the dog’s owner?
  1. What initial impression does the wolf have of the dog's lifestyle?
  2. How does the dog's explanation about his collar influence the wolf's decision?
  3. What reasons does the wolf give for rejecting the dog's offer?
  4. In what way does the fable highlight the balance between comfort and freedom?
  5. How does the wolf's perspective on freedom shape the end of the story?
Reflection Questions
  1. Why did the wolf feel jealous when he saw the dog?
  2. What made the wolf decide not to live with the dog’s owner?
  3. Can you think of a time when you had to choose between freedom and comfort? What did you choose, and why?
  4. What does this story teach us about the importance of being free?
  5. How can we make choices that balance our needs for freedom and security in our daily lives?
Fable Quotes
Better a hungry wolf than a chained dog.
Full bellies don't make full hearts, contentment does.
Every choice we make comes with its own consequences.
Just One More Fable
About

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.