Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing

Once, a cunning wolf lived in the woods near a farm, his eyes always fixed on the flock of sheep grazing there. Day after day, he watched them from a distance and noticed how they moved—mindlessly trailing behind anyone who led, or simply following one another when left alone.

“How foolish these sheep are,” he muttered to himself, seeing an opportunity. One afternoon, he boldly approached the flock, hoping they would blindly follow him away from safety. But the sheep were not as simple as he imagined. The moment they saw the wolf, they panicked, bleating loudly in alarm. Their cries brought the shepherd and his son rushing to the scene, and the wolf was forced to flee empty-handed.

A few days later, the wolf returned with a new scheme. Under the cover of dusk, he quietly snatched a single sheep, carried it off, and feasted. But this time, he kept the sheep’s fleece. Carefully, he wore it as a disguise, covering himself completely to look just like one of the flock.

The next morning, disguised in the woolen skin, the wolf walked calmly into the pasture. The sheep, seeing what appeared to be another sheep, began to follow him without suspicion. Slowly, he led them farther and farther from the farm, beyond the hearing of the shepherd.

That very day, however, the shepherd’s family was preparing a feast. The shepherd’s son went out to choose a large sheep to make a mutton stew. Without a second glance, he picked the biggest “sheep” in sight—the wolf in disguise—and slaughtered it for the evening meal.

And so, without ever realizing, the shepherd’s family ended the threat themselves, and the flock was saved from the trickster’s plans.

Moral of the Story:

The tale reminds us that appearances are often misleading, and those who disguise themselves usually do so with harmful intent. It underscores the wisdom of seeing beyond the surface to recognize true character. The story also serves as a warning—to stay watchful and discerning, for not everyone who seems harmless truly is.