An old Cherokee grandfather sat with his grandson by a crackling campfire. 'A fight is going on inside me,' he said to the boy. 'It is a terrible fight between two wolves. One is evil—he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, and ego. The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, and truth. This same fight is going on inside you, and inside every other person, too.' The grandson thought about it for a long minute and then asked his grandfather, 'Which wolf will win?' The old man simply replied, 'The one you feed.'
Our character and actions are determined by which thoughts and emotions we choose to nurture and focus upon.
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Questions about this story
What is the moral of The Story of the Two Wolves?
The story teaches that we have both positive and negative traits, and the one that dominates our life is the one we give our attention and energy to. It emphasizes personal responsibility for our character.
Is The Story of the Two Wolves a real Cherokee legend?
While widely attributed to the Cherokee, many scholars believe its current form originated in the early 20th century through Christian parables. Regardless of its origin, it remains a staple of modern wisdom literature.
Who are the characters in the story?
The story features an elderly grandfather sharing a life lesson with his young grandson. They represent the passing of wisdom between generations and the universal nature of the human struggle.
What do the two wolves represent?
The dark wolf represents negative emotions like anger, greed, and arrogance, while the light wolf represents positive traits like love, peace, and kindness. They symbolize the duality of human nature.
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