The Wolf and The Sheep

The Wolf and The Sheep

In a verdant valley surrounded by rolling hills and lush forests, there lay a small, peaceful village where sheep grazed contentedly. Their woolly coats shone in the sunlight, and their bleating echoed gently across the meadows. The sheep were well cared for by the villagers, who provided them with ample food and a safe place to rest. Life in the village was idyllic, unmarred by strife or danger.

Yet, beyond the valley, hidden deep within the shadowed forest, prowled a lone wolf. This wolf was known for his cunning and stealth. His fur was a dark, mottled gray, blending seamlessly with the forest's underbrush. The wolf, named Gnar, had long watched the sheep from afar, admiring their peaceful existence with a mix of envy and hunger. He was aware that the sheep were well protected, but his hunger and desire for change drove him to devise a plan.

One crisp autumn morning, Gnar set his plan into motion. He approached the edge of the forest and began to observe the sheep more closely. He noted their routines, their habits, and the patterns of the villagers who tended to them. He saw that the villagers were diligent but not always watchful. There were gaps in their vigilance, moments when their focus drifted.

Gnar waited patiently until the villagers were distracted by a festival celebrating the harvest. With the villagers preoccupied, Gnar seized the opportunity to put his plan into action. Under the cover of dusk, he slunk into the village, careful to remain unseen. He had observed that the sheep often wandered into a particular part of the meadow where the grass was lush and tender. There, he laid out a clever trap using a large net concealed under a pile of leaves.

As night fell, the sheep ventured to their favorite grazing spot, oblivious to the danger that lurked. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of the tender grass, and the sheep, in their peaceful state, wandered right into the trap. With a sudden snap, the net tightened around them, trapping them within its confines.

The sheep bleated in panic, struggling against the net. Their frightened cries were muffled by the thick foliage, and Gnar seized this moment of chaos to appear before them. His eyes gleamed with a mix of satisfaction and menace.

“Hello, little sheep,” Gnar said in a voice that was both smooth and chilling. “It seems you’ve found yourselves in quite a predicament.”

The sheep looked up at him, their eyes wide with fear. Among them was a wise and elderly ewe named Lila. She stepped forward, trying to muster courage.

“Please, Mr. Wolf,” Lila said with a tremor in her voice, “what is it that you want from us?”

Gnar’s smile widened. “I want what every wolf desires: a meal. But I am not without a sense of fairness. I offer you a choice. If you can answer a riddle correctly, I will set you free. Fail to answer, and you will become my dinner.”

The sheep were terrified but knew they had little choice. Lila took a deep breath and nodded.

“Very well, Mr. Wolf. What is the riddle?”

Gnar’s eyes sparkled with amusement as he prepared to pose his challenge.

“Listen carefully,” he began. “I have cities but no houses. I have mountains but no trees. I have water but no fish. What am I?”

The sheep huddled together, whispering anxiously. Lila’s mind raced, trying to decipher the riddle. She thought of everything she had learned in her long life, of all the places and things she had seen. Her heart sank as she realized the answer was beyond their grasp.

Time seemed to stretch endlessly, the wolf’s patience wearing thin. Gnar’s grin grew more predatory as the sheep’s panic increased. Finally, Lila raised her head, her voice steady despite her fear.

“I don’t know the answer, Mr. Wolf,” she admitted. “But I ask you to show us mercy. We have always lived peacefully, harming none. Is there not another way?”

Gnar’s expression hardened. “A deal is a deal. The answer or your fate.”

Despair settled over the sheep as they awaited their grim fate. But just as Gnar prepared to claim his prize, a sudden rustling from the bushes drew everyone’s attention. Out of the darkness emerged a figure—a young, brave sheep named Finn who had been scouting the area and had heard the commotion. Finn was known among the sheep for his cleverness and quick thinking.

“Stop!” Finn called out, catching Gnar’s attention. “I can solve the riddle!”

Gnar, intrigued, gave Finn a nod. “Proceed.”

Finn took a deep breath and began to speak. “The answer to your riddle is a map.”

The wolf’s eyes widened in surprise. He had not anticipated this. He was not accustomed to being outwitted, especially not by one of his prey. Gnar’s pride was wounded, and his hunger was unfulfilled.

“You have answered correctly,” Gnar said reluctantly. “As promised, I will release you.”

With a flick of his powerful paws, he loosened the net and allowed the sheep to escape. The flock, though shaken, quickly gathered around Finn, expressing their gratitude.

Lila approached Finn with a relieved smile. “You have saved us all. How did you come up with the answer?”

Finn shrugged modestly. “I remembered a story my grandmother told me about a map. It seemed like the best fit for the riddle.”

The sheep cheered for Finn, their spirits lifted by his bravery and wit. As they returned to their meadow, the village festival continued in full swing, the villagers unaware of the peril that had nearly befallen their flock.

Gnar, meanwhile, retreated to the forest, his pride bruised but his hunger temporarily sated. He realized that his plan had been foiled not by brute strength but by the cleverness and courage of a young sheep. The wolf pondered his next move, knowing that he would need to refine his strategies if he wished to outsmart his future adversaries.

From that day on, the sheep lived with a heightened sense of awareness, always remembering the night when their bravery and intelligence saved them from a dire fate. Finn’s quick thinking became a celebrated tale among the flock, and the wisdom of Lila and the courage of Finn became legends passed down through generations.

And as for Gnar, he remained in the shadows of the forest, forever changed by his encounter with the clever sheep. The valley continued to thrive, a testament to the resilience and unity of its inhabitants, who had faced danger with wit and bravery.

Moral of the Story

Evil deeds have an evil end. Whenever anyone is done wrong, the same will happen to him. Wolf died in the end with the help of the shepherd and the farmer's cleverness.