The Wolf and the Sheep

The dogs had caught up with the wolf at last. They left him with a torn ear, a bad leg and bites all over, and he dragged himself home to his den. He could not hunt, he could hardly stand, and his belly was as empty as an old boot.

Then he heard soft hooves on the path. A sheep was going by.

"Friend!" croaked the wolf. "Friend, one moment!" The sheep stopped, well back from the den.

"I am very ill," said the wolf. "The stream is right there, so close you can hear it. Please bring me a little water, that is all."

The sheep looked at the stream. It did run close by. "Only water," said the wolf, and he smiled with all his teeth. "Just bring me a drink, and I will find some way to get my own meat."

The sheep looked at the teeth. "Yes," he said. "If I bring you the drink, I will be the meat as well."