Aesop
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Greece

The Wolves and The Sheepdogs

Wolves deceived sheepdogs with promises of freedom and shared feast, but instead attacked and killed them in their den.
Trust
Betrayal
Deception
Aesop's Fables - The Wolves and The Sheepdogs
Audio available for B1 version

In the depths of the forest, wolves and sheepdogs lived. One day, the wolves approached the sheepdogs with a cunning plan.

"Why not live with us as brothers?" they asked, "We're similar in many ways. The only difference is we are free while you labor for men. They command you, whip you, and place heavy collars around your necks. You guard their sheep, and in return, they reward you with leftover bones after feasting on mutton. If you join us, we can share the sheep and eat until we're full."

These words made sense to the sheepdogs. Tempted by the wolves' promise, they ventured into the wolves' den, dreaming of a shared feast and a life of freedom.

However, things didn't go as planned. As soon as the sheepdogs entered the den, the wolves pounced on them. The promises of brotherhood and a shared feast were merely traps, and the unsuspecting sheepdogs were torn to pieces.

In a super cool forest that was pretty much the hangout spot for all sorts of animals, there were wolves and sheepdogs. One day, the wolves walked up to the sheepdogs and said, "Hey buddies, wanna join our wolf club? We get to do awesome stuff!"

The sheepdogs were like, "Hmm, what kind of awesome stuff?"

The wolves grinned really big, showing off all their pointy teeth. "Well, you guys have to work all day, taking care of sheep and listening to humans tell you what to do. They give you old, yucky bones to eat. If you hang out with us, we'll share the tasty stuff! You'll be eating like kings!"

The sheepdogs looked at each other and said, "Eating like kings? And no more boring work or yucky bones? That sounds amazing!"

"You got it!" said the wolves. "We promise, it'll be a party every day!"

Super excited, the sheepdogs followed the wolves into their den, which even had funky lights and weird scribbles on the walls. They were dreaming of yummy food and running around like they were in a fun movie!

But, oh boy, did things flip around! Just when the sheepdogs thought they were the guests of honor, the wolves yelled, "Surprise!" and jumped at them. Yep, the wolves tricked them. There was no party, no yummy food, and definitely no fun movie.

So, instead of becoming kings of the forest, the sheepdogs found out they had been fooled big time.

Wolves and sheepdogs, side by side,
Called the same forest their place to hide.
One sunny morn, wolves came to say,
"Let's be as brothers, starting today!"

"We look alike, wouldn't you agree?
But you work hard, while we run free.
Men make you work and give you a bone,
But in our pack, the feast is your own."

Sheepdogs thought, "This sounds so grand!
A life of ease, not a single demand."
They wagged their tails and followed the pack,
Dreaming of meals with not a thing to lack.

But listen close, for things went awry,
The wolves' sweet words were nothing but a lie.
As they stepped inside the wolves' hidden cave,
They found out too late; they were not so brave.

Instead of feasts, the wolves just grinned,
Their promises were wind.
The lesson here is clear to see,
Be careful who you trust to be.

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Understanding Questions

Reflection Questions

  1. Why do you think the Wolves wanted the Sheepdogs to join them?
  2. How did the Sheepdogs feel when they heard the Wolves' promises, and why?
  3. Can you think of a time when something seemed too good to be true, like the Wolves' offer to the Sheepdogs?
  4. What does this story teach us about trust and discerning the true intentions of others?
  5. How can we apply the lesson from this story to be careful with promises that seem too good to be true?

Fable Quotes

Trust is precious, not to be given lightly or to the deceitful.
Betrayal often comes wrapped in the promise of gain.
Deception is a thief that robs us of truth.
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