Here is one of my favorite tales, a traditional Cherokee story.
One of the things I love about it is that it emphasizes non-judgment: emotions like anger or shame aren’t wrong—they carry information and energy that, when acknowledged, fuel strategic and resilient action. It reminds us that balance arises when all parts are honored and guided with intention.
Enjoy! Xx Stef
The Tale of Two Wolves
An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life.
“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.
“It is a terrible fight between two wolves.
One is evil—he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The other is good—he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.
The same fight is going on inside you—and inside every other person, too.”
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather,
“Which wolf will win?”
The old Cherokee simply replied,
“The one you feed.”
—
Later, the boy thought more about it and returned to his grandfather.
“But Grandfather, if I feed only the good wolf, won’t the evil one be angry and try to fight back even harder?”
The old man smiled and said:
“Yes, if you feed only the good wolf, the bad one will lie in wait, lurking in the dark, waiting for your guard to drop so he can attack. He will always be angry and will always fight for attention.
But if you acknowledge him, he is happy, and the good wolf is happy too. You see, the good wolf needs the other at his side. The bad wolf has many qualities—tenacity, courage, fearlessness, strength—that the good wolf lacks. But the good wolf has compassion, caring, humility, and the ability to recognize what is in the best interest of all.
Feed them both, and you will find peace. There is a place for both wolves inside you. If you feed them right, they will serve you well.”
