The Wolf and the House Dog

A gaunt and hungry wolf, his ribs showing through his matted fur, was wandering through the woods when he stumbled upon a well-fed house dog. The dog looked plump, his coat was sleek and glossy, and he seemed to be enjoying a life of luxury. The wolf, his stomach growling with envy, approached the dog and remarked, 'You look remarkably healthy, my friend. I spend my days hunting for scraps, often going days without a meal, yet you appear to have more than enough to eat.'

The dog smiled, wagging his tail. 'It is true,' he replied. 'My life is quite easy. My master provides me with plenty of food, a warm bed, and a comfortable place to sleep. All I have to do in return is guard the house at night and greet my master when he returns. You would be just as fat as I am if you only worked for such a kind master.'

The wolf, intrigued by the prospect of a full belly, asked, 'What must I do to join your service?' The dog began to walk toward the house, but as they drew nearer, the wolf noticed a bare patch around the dog's neck where the fur had been rubbed away. 'What is that mark on your neck?' the wolf asked, pointing to the spot.

'Oh, that?' said the dog. 'It is nothing. It is just where the collar is tied during the day so that I do not wander off. It is a small price to pay.'

The wolf stopped in his tracks, his ears flattening against his head. 'A collar? You mean you are not free to go wherever you please?'

'Not exactly,' the dog admitted. 'But surely that does not matter when the food is so plentiful!'

The wolf turned his back on the house and began to trot back into the dark, tangled woods. 'Keep your feasts, my friend,' he called out over his shoulder. 'I would rather endure the sharp pangs of hunger than live my life in chains, for a meal is a poor trade for the loss of one's freedom.'