The Wolf and the Lamb

A little lamb was drinking from a clear stream when, further up near the source, a wolf passed by and spotted him. Feeling hungry, the wolf immediately looked for a reason to make a meal of the lamb.

The wolf stormed over and snarled, "How dare you muddy the water I'm about to drink!" Startled, the lamb answered politely, "But sir, the water flows from you down to me — I couldn't possibly be muddying your water."

The wolf thought up a new excuse. "Then you must be the one who insulted me last year!" The lamb quickly replied, "That's impossible, sir — I wasn't even born yet last year."

Furious that he couldn't find a good enough excuse, the wolf growled, "Whatever you say, I won't go hungry because of you!" — and lunged straight at the little lamb.

Luckily, the flock's sheepdog heard the frightened bleating and came bounding out, barking fiercely until the wolf turned and fled. Safe at last, the lamb ran back to the flock with relief — and never forgot how much it mattered to have kind ones nearby who look out for each other.

Someone determined to hurt another will always find an excuse, no matter how right the other person is. It's better never to use strength to bully the weak — and to step in when we see someone being bullied.