• The Wolf and the Lean Dog

    Aesop's Fables
    One bright morning, a wolf with a very rumbly tummy was prowling through the woods. His sharp eyes spotted a dog, but this dog was so thin you could almost count his ribs.

    "Aha!" thought the wolf. "Not much of a meal, but better than nothing." He crept closer.

    The skinny dog saw the wolf and, though a little scared, he wagged his tail a tiny bit. "Oh, Mr. Wolf," he said, his voice a bit shaky. "You've caught me at a bad time. I'm just skin and bones right now."

    The wolf grumbled, "Hungry wolves can't be too picky."

    "But wait!" yipped the dog. "My owner is having a huge party very soon! A wedding feast! There will be so much leftover food. I'll eat and eat, and I'll get wonderfully plump and juicy. Why don't you come back then? I'll be a much tastier dinner for you."

    The wolf licked his lips. A skinny snack now, or a big, juicy meal later? The thought of a fat dog made his mouth water. "Hmm," he said. "A plump dog does sound better. Alright, little dog, I'll wait. But you better be as fat as you say!"

    The dog promised he would be, and the wolf trotted away, already dreaming of his future feast.

    A few weeks passed. The wolf, feeling even hungrier, remembered the skinny dog and the promised party. He trotted back to the house where he'd met the dog.

    He looked around and finally spotted the dog. But the dog wasn't on the ground. He was sitting comfortably on the flat roof of the house, looking much healthier and definitely not skinny anymore. He was wagging his tail happily.

    "Hello, Mr. Wolf!" barked the dog cheerfully from above. "Are you here for the feast?"

    The wolf growled, "I'm here for *you*! You said you'd be plump!"

    The dog grinned. "I am! But if you want me, you'll have to come up here. And by the way," he added, "if you ever find me down on the ground again, don't bother waiting for any special feasts. Just try your luck then and there!"

    The wolf stared up, realizing he'd been tricked. He couldn't climb onto the roof. With a frustrated howl, he turned and stalked back into the woods, his tummy still rumbling.

    1970 Views