A boy, angry at a friend who had done him an injustice, came to his grandfather. His grandfather told him, “Let me tell you a story. I, too, have felt a great rage for those who have hurt me with no regret for what they have done. But rage wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die.

I have struggled with these feelings many times. It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One wolf is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and takes no offense when no offense was intended. He fights only when it is right to do so, and only fairly.

But the other wolf is full of anger. The smallest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, and for no reason. He cannot think because his anger is so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes it is difficult to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit.”

The boy looked into his grandfather’s eyes and asked, “Which one wins, Grandfather?”

Grandfather smiled gently and said, “The one I feed.”