The Monk Wolf
Long ago, beside a deep forest where cool waters ran, there lived a cunning wolf. This old wolf had grown weary and worn out from years of hunting the villagers' flocks and running away. At last, in order to secure himself an effortless life, a magnificent piece of cunning came to his mind. He stole an old monk's robe from the monastery on the hill, threw it over himself and assumed the guise of a holy man. Announcing that he had repented, that he had given up meat and would live on prayers alone, he glided towards the village. The villagers and the sheep, famed for their innocence, were astonished by this spiritual conversion and began to believe the wolf.
The wolf in his monk's clothes fixed his eyes upon the sky and pretended to recite prayers in reverence. A charming flock of sheep gathered around this masterly performer and set about listening to his counsel. The cunning wolf was saying, "My dear brothers, my heart is full of love now, and I am devoted to protecting every one of you." Just at that moment, a plump and well-fed lamb appeared among the green grass of the meadow. As the evening sun made the lamb's soft fleece shine, the wolf's eyes suddenly glittered with greed. His mouth beginning to water, the wolf forgot the prayers he had memorized in an instant and heaved a deep sigh.
"Look at that delicious morsel tempting my mind while I pray!" he could not help muttering. Unable to master his own appetite, the wolf flung his robe away and hurled himself upon the lamb all of a sudden. But the shepherd and his faithful dogs were waiting on their guard against such a treacherous trap. Barking furiously, the dogs surrounded the false monk and pressed him mercilessly. Barely saving his life, the wolf had to flee into the dark depths of the forest without even looking behind him. Thus the truth that changing one's guise does not change one's character was laid before the eyes of the villagers. False piety and veiled intentions are certain to reveal their true face at the very first trial. The wolf changes his coat, but not his nature.