Monday, May 7, 2012

Two Wolves - A Cherokee Parable


Last Friday we went to the annual mass for deceased children held at Notre Dame RC Church in North Caldwell. This year’s parent who spoke to us lost his daughter in the 9/11 tragedy. He shared a lot about his precious daughter, Jennifer. He ended his talk with an old Cherokee parable. As soon as he recited the first verse I recognized it immediately and my heart fluttered. I am sharing it with you because this parable is not only full of wisdom, the words hung from Laura’s bedroom mirror.


 An old Cherokee chief was 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,
self-doubt, and ego.

"The other is good - he is joy,
peace, love, hope, serenity, humility,
kindness, benevolence, empathy,
 generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. 

"This 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 chief simply replied, 
"The one you feed."


Author unknown


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