National Adult Literacy Database

April 22, 1996

This weeks story comes from the pen of Wilda Payne, drawing upon the legends of the natural world and offering an alternative perspective on the true nature of an oft feared animal. Wilda hails from New Brunswick.

Wolves

by Wilda Payne

Wolves are spirit, yet the first picture or image we as human beings, have of wolves is such that they wander in darkness, and are evil. They appear before us on the television screen as wild animals sitting at the top of a hill and howling at the full moon, or waiting to attack their prey.

In the Indian culture however, wolves are guardians and protectors. As visions and dreams, they hover above us and stand beside us. Most people understand this idea in relation to guardian angels. The Indian people believe in animals, nature's creatures as their protectors.

In their capacity as guardians , they teach us as their children, to walk softly upon life's paths. To walk harshly can lead only to error and misjudgment in our ways of thinking and acting.

Wolves are not only our guardian parents, but they are the role models for us as parents. They are the spirit which is of and exists within the family. Wolves mate for life, teaching our cynical selves that fidelity and trust can and do exist in this world. As mates and parents, the wolves provide the necessities of life for their young. They treat their young with tenderness, and give them a secure environment.

Wolves sing their songs to the children and to the moon. They are not wild creatures living in darkness. They are creatures bathed in light, teachers and protectors to us all, if we too will listen to their song.

[Used with permission, from the "Learning Times", published by the Literacy Coalition of New Brunswick]