The Wolves Within

An old grandfather said to his grandson who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story.

I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have done me wrong and have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they've done.

But hate wears you done, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times", he continued. "It is as if two wolves are inside me. One is good and does not harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah, he is full of anger. The smallest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone all the time for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit".

The boy looked intently into his grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins, grandfather?"

The grandfather smiled and quietly said, "The one I feed".

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"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else. You are the one who gets burned".