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The Wolf and the Dog

      Aesop's fable of the Wolf and the Dog is perhaps not one of his best-known stories, but it has been an inspiration to me. For those of you who do not know it, it goes like this:

      Wolf lived in the forest. Times were hard, and he had gone several days without food. One day, he came upon a Dog walking near the edge of the forest. Dog looked healthy and well-fed, so Wolf asked him how he was so well fed when there was so little to be found in the forest. Dog explained that he did not have to find food -- his master fed him every day. Wolf was incredulous. "You mean your food is just given to you? You do not have to hunt for it?" Dog said yes, it was true, and invited Wolf to come with him to his master's house, where perhaps he, too, would be fed. Wolf agreed, and they began walking together. But then, Wolf noticed something. He asked Dog, "why is there a place on your neck with no fur?" Dog explained, "That is from the collar I wear; it rubs the fur off." Wolf did not know what that meant, so Dog continued, "Normally, my master keeps me on a chain, attached to my house. I got loose this morning, but now I am going back. I have everything I need there." Wolf stopped short. "You go on," he said, "but I will stay right here in the forest. I may be hungry, but at least I am free!"

      In a society going to the dogs, I remain a wolf. Slavery is too high a price to pay for safety and security.

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