The Fasting Wolf
Once upon a time, an old wolf lived at the edge of an ancient forest where cool waters flowed. For years this cunning creature had spread fear among the helpless animals around him, but at last he felt his old age and began to feel remorse. Intending to have his past sins forgiven, he decided to eat no meat at all for a full forty days. He proudly announced this holy intention to all the creatures of the forest and began to walk along the path with his head held high. Yet on only the third day of the fast, the rumbling rising from the old wolf's stomach began to strain his patience badly. As he wandered helplessly in the shade of the green trees, he saw a plump and tasty lamb grazing merrily in the nearby meadow.
The lamb's very soft white wool and its appetizing smell were enough to shake the wolf's whole will in a single instant. As his mouth watered, he whispered to himself, "I cannot break my word, but I cannot bear this unbearable hunger either." With sly and silent steps he approached the meadow and fixed his eyes greedily upon the lamb. Backing away in fear, the poor lamb asked, "Honourable wolf, were you not fasting, and were you not going to hurt any living creature?" The wolf narrowed his eyes with a sly air and looked the lamb over from head to foot, searching for a clever excuse. "I am an animal faithful to his word, I never break my intention," he began to say with a false seriousness.
Then, with a treacherous smile, he added, "But when I look carefully I understand that you are certainly not a lamb." "This white body of yours, gleaming brightly under the sun, and your plump shape can only be a tasty cabbage!" he said. However much the lamb struggled and tried to prove that it was a lamb, the cunning wolf would not listen to it. "I am only eating a fresh cabbage from the garden," he said, and with one leap he threw himself upon the lamb and had his feast. Those who lack a true intention and give in to their appetite always invent a fitting lie in order to soothe their own conscience. He who plans the deed also prepares the excuse.