Story Summary
Read the classic Aesop's fable, The Wolf and the Lamb. Explore the chilling lesson of how power often uses false logic to justify cruelty against the innocent.
A hungry Wolf, lapping at a clear mountain stream, caught sight of a Lamb drinking further down the bank. Desiring a reason to seize the creature, the Wolf shouted, 'How dare you muddle the water I am drinking!' The Lamb replied humbly, 'Sir, the water flows from you to me; I cannot be muddying your drink.' Thwarted, the Wolf snarled, 'Last year you insulted my father!' 'I was not even born then,' the Lamb pleaded. 'Then it was your brother!' 'I have no brothers,' the Lamb whispered. 'No matter,' the Wolf cried, 'it was someone of your kind!' Without another word, he fell upon the poor Lamb and devoured him, proving that a predator needs no true reason for his feast.
The Moral
The tyrant will always find a pretext for his tyranny, and the unjust will not listen to the reasoning of the innocent.
“Any excuse will serve a tyrant.”
Fun Fact
This fable was famously reimagined by Jean de La Fontaine in the 17th century to critique the absolute power of the French monarchy during the reign of Louis XIV.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of The Wolf and the Lamb?
The moral is that an evil-doer or a tyrant will always find an excuse for their actions, regardless of the truth. It warns that logic and innocence are often no defense against those who have already decided to be cruel.
Why did the wolf make up excuses before eating the lamb?
The wolf sought a pretext to justify his internal malice with an external cause, hoping to make his act of violence appear as a form of justice. This reflects how those in power often manipulate the truth to maintain a facade of righteousness.
What does the stream symbolize in the story?
The stream symbolizes the flow of logic and truth; because it flows from the wolf to the lamb, it proves the lamb's innocence. However, the wolf ignores the physical reality of the stream to pursue his own selfish agenda.
Is The Wolf and the Lamb a true story?
It is an ancient Greek fable attributed to Aesop, used as a metaphorical lesson rather than a historical account. These stories use anthropomorphized animals to critique human behavior and social hierarchies.
Who are the primary characters in this fable?
The primary characters are the Wolf, representing a powerful and unjust aggressor, and the Lamb, representing an innocent and helpless victim. Their interaction serves as a template for exploring themes of power and injustice.
How does the Lamb try to defend itself?
The Lamb uses cold, hard logic and facts to refute every one of the Wolf's accusations. Unfortunately, the story concludes that facts are useless when the opponent is committed to a predetermined outcome.