The Werewolf Shepherd

 The Werewolf Shepherd

 

Once upon a time a Shepherd came upon a Wolf, standing bloody-jawed over the corpse of a Lamb.

The Shepherd said, “How dare you commit this crime?”

The Wolf said, “It is my natural right to exploit the inferior.”

The Shepherd said, “Who are you to judge the Lamb?”

The Wolf said, “The Lamb was weak. It could not stop my attack, and therefore deserved it. I am innocent because I am successful.”

The Shepherd said, “Evil will take any excuse.”

The Wolf said, “Who are you to judge a wolf?”

The Shepherd said, “I too am a wolf.”

The werewolf Shepherd turned into his wolf form and attacked the Wolf. The lycanthrope had the strength of a wolf and the cunning of a human, so he soon slew the Wolf.

Then he turned back into his human form. The Shepherd carried home the body of the Lamb and the pelt of the Wolf.

That evening he wore fur and ate mutton.

 

Moral:  Law excuses its own enforcement.

 

          Comment: Shepherd is the ideal occupation for a werewolf. He defends the sheep for his own reasons, not theirs. From the flock’s point of view, the main difference between the wolf and the werewolf is that the werewolf is more systematic.