The Wolf and the Shepherd

F OR a long time the Wolf had followed the Sheep without attempting to injure one of them. The Shepherd stood on his guard against him for a while, and kept strict watch that he did not come too near. But as day after day passed and the Wolf showed no disposition to injure any of the flock, he allowed him to approach nearer, till at last he came among the Sheep, and seemed to watch over them like a dog.

"He is really quite a help to me," said the Shepherd to himself; "and I have never seen him make the slightest effort to seize a sheep or a lamb."

So, having occasion to go to town one day, he left his flock in the care of the Wolf, whom he regarded as a guardian over them.

But no sooner was the man gone, than the Wolf, seeing his opportunity, fell upon the Sheep and destroyed the greater part of them.

"I have been rightly served," said the Shepherd, on his return. "Why did I not know better than to trust my Sheep to their worst enemy? Soon or late, nature will show itself."