How the Wolves Teach Their Whelps

"How the Wolves Teach Their Whelps" is a thought-provoking short story by Leo Tolstoy that explores themes of nature, morality, and the influence of environment on behavior. In this tale, Tolstoy contrasts the nurturing instincts of wolves as they train their young to survive in the wild with human societal norms and expectations. Through vivid imagery and compelling narrative, the story invites readers to reflect on the complexities of upbringing and the inherent qualities of good and evil within both animals and humans. Ultimately, it serves as a meditation on the lessons animals impart and the ethical implications of human actions.

								
I was walking along the road, and heard a shout behind me. It was the
shepherd boy who was shouting. He was running through the field, and
pointing to something.

I looked, and saw two wolves running through the field: one was
full-grown, and the other a whelp. The whelp was carrying a dead lamb on
his shoulders, and holding on to one of its legs with its teeth. The old
wolf was running behind. When I saw the wolves, I ran after them with
the shepherd, and we began to shout. In response to our cries came
peasants with dogs.

The moment the old wolf saw the dogs and the people, he ran up to the
whelp, took the lamb away from him, threw it over his back, and both
wolves ran as fast as they could, and disappeared from view.

Then the boy told what had happened: the large wolf had leaped out from
the ravine, had seized the lamb, killed it, and carried it off.

The whelp ran up to him and grasped the lamb. The old wolf let the whelp
carry the lamb, while he himself ran slowly beside him.

Only when there was danger, did the old wolf stop his teaching and
himself take the lamb.
								Rate this book:0.0 / 0 votes