The Wolf and the DogINCD140

Adapted from an original storyNarrated by

Oscar Gonzalez

A skinny, hungry wolf was out prowling for food one morning when he came upon a plump dog at the edge of town.

"Señor Dog," said the bony wolf, "I can't help but marvel at how good you look, while I, who run looking for food day and night, am a picture of Death itself."

The dog got right to the point. "Señor Wolf, it could be that you are in the wrong profession. Perhaps you should follow my example.  Give up all this roving about and sleeping in caves.  Move to town. Find a rich family and get you a good watchdog job.  Watchdoggery is a noble calling.  You just keep an eye on things, suck up to the people, act like a moron,  and the  good stuff in life rolls your way."

The wolf didn't think twice. He vowed at once to give up his hungry lifestyle and move to town. So the two compadres walked along and chatted amicably until the wolf started asking some personal questions.

"Señor Dog," he said. "I've been wondering about that ring around your neck where all the hair seems to be worn away. What, pray tell, is that?"

The dog evaded the question, so the wolf asked again. The dog said, "Oh, that's nothing.  Just the mark of the chain"

“Chain?”, said the Wolf "Yes. It's no big deal. They

put it on me to make sure I stay on the job and don't go wandering around.  But they let me off at meal time and treat me like a king.  Anything they don't want to eat they throw right on the floor for me. Stuff like bones when the meat is gone, stale bread, and sometimes even a big glob of fat that was accidentally burned by the cook.

It's great!  Sometimes they rub their hands around on my back and all I have to do is act like I like it, keep my mouth shut, and wag my tail."

    "All that is fine," said the wolf, "but it sounds to me that being a watchdog is a lot like being a prisoner.“

"In fact," said the wolf, moving to center stage and adopting the tone and posture of an 18th century neo-classical poet,

           

"Though you dine like a gluttonOn bread crusts and mutton,

I'll stick to my caveWhere I'll never be a slave."

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