Two Wolves

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy.

"It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." He continued, "The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. The same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

- An Ancient Cherokee Legend

Two Wolves II

Two wolves live
inside of me.
One is trapped
the other free.
The two of them
just want to be.

They fight sometimes.
Now good, now bad.
The trapped one wants
what the other had.
I feel this fight
when I am sad.

Grandpa said,
“Watch who you feed.
He will win.
He’ll take the lead.”
I hope some day
that both are freed.

-by John Bickart, inspired by An Ancient Cherokee Legend