The Wolf We Feed

  I have previously mentioned that, in the introduction to The Long, Slow, Summer Sun, the title of the book was almost Fur and Phoenix, and for a number of reasons. I think that “Fur and Phoenix” could almost be a chapter in its own right, the more that I think about it, but I’ll try to keep this brief (as if that could happen).


I’ve always fancied that, if I had to choose an animal to represent me- it would be a wolf. There are many character traits of the wolf that I appreciate, and there’s no need to elaborate on them; that animal “just fits.” Ironically, the “lone wolf” that is popular is somewhat of a misnomer or misunderstood. The wolf is technically a pack animal, and I learned that usually when one breaks away from the pack, it is to establish a new family and territory, NOT to go off alone forever. That’s one part of the wolf image that I have always misinterpreted, but no matter. In a sense it is still doing its own thing, with which I can identify.


Something that appeals to me on a much deeper level than the “normal” attributes, however, is a parable that I read once. It’s a common story:

 An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil – he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.” He continued, “The other is good – he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you – and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

 Now THAT, I can sink my teeth into!

I try to get people to think and feel through many of my stories and poems, to break out of what is a normal set of “canned life responses” and really just sit and reflect on things (whether I am successful yet remains to be seen). This story always elicits that response from me- especially the last line; I get goosebumps almost every time I read it.

So, there you have it- a partially-misunderstood and romanticized image, and a parable.

To be continued....