Student of Life

A Native elder walks slowly down the path. The leaves of the trees and the soft breeze protect him from the heat of the noonday sun. In his worn, calloused hand is the soft flesh of his young grandson. The two walk in silence.

After a time the grandfather interrupts the silence. “Grandson,” he begins, “there are two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is angry and vindictive and wishes to hurt others. The other wolf is peaceful, joyful, and loving.”

Hearing the words of his grandfather the grandson is filled with fear. With a tremor in his voice he asks, “Grandfather, which wolf will win the battle of your heart?”

The wise elder replies, “The battle of my heart will be won by the wolf that wins the battle of every man’s heart. It is the wolf I feed.”