A Cherokee elder was teaching his children about life
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When in Bahá'í history
A Cherokee elder was teaching his children about life. “A fight is going on inside me,” he said to them. “It is a terrible fight and it is 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.” He continued, “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 grandchildren thought about it and after a minute one of them asked, “Which wolf will win?” The elder simply replied, “The one you feed.”
Source: Source unknown
Collected from bahaistories.com (Subject: thoughts).
Discuss this story
For adults
- Where do you see compassion appearing — visibly or quietly — in this passage?
- How does this story complicate or deepen your understanding of thoughts?
- Read the closing lines once more. What single phrase stays with you?
For teens
- If you were in this person's place, what might you have done?
- What does this story teach about compassion?
Reflection
- How does compassion show up in your life right now — and where is it being asked of you?
- Read the passage a second time, slowly. What did you notice that you missed the first time?
- Sit quietly for a moment after reading. What does this story stir in you?
Comprehension quiz
Which source is "A Cherokee elder was teaching his children about life" drawn from?
What period of Bahá'í history does this story belong to?
Which virtue does this story most clearly illustrate?
Cite this story
Various. *bahaistories.com archive*. https://bahaistories.com/subject/thoughts
Record yourself reading this story
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