Picture this: a wolf, as skinny as a stick, was trotting through the edge of a forest one evening. His tummy rumbled like distant thunder. He hadn't eaten a good meal in days!

Suddenly, he saw a dog. This wasn't just any dog. This dog was plump, with a shiny coat and a happy wagging tail. He looked like he ate three big meals every single day!

"Wow!" said the Wolf, his eyes wide. "You look amazing! How do you get so...puffy and happy?"

The Dog chuckled. "Oh, it's quite easy, really. My humans take good care of me."

"Humans?" asked the Wolf, a little nervous. He usually tried to stay away from humans.

"Yes!" said the Dog. "They feed me delicious scraps from their table. I have a warm bed to sleep in. They pet me and play with me. It's a wonderful life!"

The Wolf's mouth watered. "Delicious scraps? A warm bed? That sounds like a dream!" he said. "Could I... could I have a life like that too?"

"Of course!" barked the Dog happily. "Come with me! My humans are very kind. They'll probably love to have another friend around."

The Wolf was so excited. No more rumbly tummy! No more cold nights! He started to walk with the Dog towards the village.

As they trotted along, the Wolf noticed something. "Hey," he said, "what's that funny bare patch on your neck? It looks like your fur is rubbed off there."

The Dog wagged his tail a bit less. "Oh, that? That's nothing, really. It's just where my collar goes."

"Your collar?" the Wolf asked.

"Yes," said the Dog. "And sometimes, they tie me up with a chain to my collar, especially at night, so I don't wander off and get into trouble."

The Wolf stopped walking. "Tied up? You mean... you can't run wherever you want, whenever you want?"

"Well, not *all* the time," the Dog admitted. "But I get so much good food and lots of pats!"

The Wolf looked at the Dog's plump belly, then at the bare patch on his neck. He thought about the warm bed and the yummy food. Then he thought about running through the forest, chasing rabbits, and howling at the moon whenever he pleased.

"No, thank you," said the Wolf, taking a step back. "Your life sounds comfortable, my friend. But I'd rather be hungry and run free in the forest than be a well-fed pet on a chain."

And with a flick of his tail, the Wolf turned and dashed back into the woods, his rumbly tummy forgotten for a moment, happy to be wild and free.

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