The Wolf and the Man

"The Wolf and the Man" is a lesser-known folktale by the Brothers Grimm that explores themes of trust, transformation, and the nature of humanity. The story follows a man who encounters a wolf in the forest and, through a series of events, learns the consequences of deception and alliances. The tale highlights the tension between human instincts and the primal nature of animals, ultimately conveying a moral lesson about the importance of honesty and the complexities of human relationships. As with many Grimm stories, it combines elements of the fantastical with deeper ethical reflections.

• Children

								
A Fox was one day talking to a Wolf about the strength of man.

'No animals,' he said, 'could withstand man, and they were obliged to
use cunning to hold their own against him.'

The Wolf answered, 'If ever I happened to see a man, I should attack
him all the same.'

'Well, I can help you to that,' said the Fox. 'Come to me early
to-morrow, and I will show you one!'

The Wolf was early astir, and the Fox took him out to a road in the
forest, traversed daily by a Huntsman.

First came an old discharged soldier.

'Is that a Man?' asked the Wolf.

'No,' answered the Fox. 'He has been a Man.'

After that, a little boy appeared on his way to school.

'Is that a Man?'

'No; he is going to be a Man.'

At last the Huntsman made his appearance, his gun on his back, and his
hunting-knife at his side. The Fox said to the Wolf,--

'Look! There comes a Man. You may attack him, but I will make off to
my hole!'

The Wolf set on the Man, who said to himself when he saw him, 'What a
pity my gun isn't loaded with ball,' and fired a charge of shot in the
Wolf's face. The Wolf made a wry face, but he was not to be so easily
frightened, and attacked him again. Then the Huntsman gave him the
second charge. The Wolf swallowed the pain, and rushed at the
Huntsman; but he drew his bright hunting-knife, and hit out right and
left with it, so that, streaming with blood, the Wolf ran back to the
Fox.

'Well, brother Wolf,' said the Fox, 'and how did you get on with the
Man?'

'Alas!' said the Wolf. 'I never thought the strength of man would be
what it is. First, he took a stick from his shoulder, and blew into
it, and something flew into my face, which tickled frightfully. Then
he blew into it again, and it flew into my eyes and nose like
lightning and hail. Then he drew a shining rib out of his body, and
struck at me with it till I was more dead than alive.'

'Now, you see,' said the Fox, 'what a braggart you are. You throw your
hatchet so far that you can't get it back again.'
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