Once, on a bright sunny day, a little lamb happily drank from a cool, sparkling stream. The stream was surrounded by green grass and colorful flowers, making it the perfect place for all the animals to enjoy a drink.
Not far upstream, a hungry wolf was also drinking from the same stream. The wolf had been searching for food all morning and was growing increasingly irritable. When he spotted the little lamb, he immediately thought of a plan to trick him and make him his next meal.
The wolf approached the lamb and said in a harsh voice, “Hey, lamb! Why are you muddying the water I’m drinking?”
The little lamb looked up in surprise and fear. “Excuse me, Mr. Wolf,” replied the lamb politely, “but I’m downstream from you. The water flows from you to me, so I couldn’t be muddying your water.”
Frustrated that his first plan didn’t work, the wolf quickly came up with another excuse. “Well, last year you said bad things about me!” the wolf accused, baring his sharp teeth.
“But Mr. Wolf,” stammered the lamb, “I wasn’t even born last year! That couldn’t have been me.”
Running out of excuses, the wolf growled angrily, “You’re eating grass in my field and ruining my food!”
The lamb, now close to tears, said, “I’ve only grazed in the meadow where my mother told me it was safe. I’ve never been to your field, sir.”
The wolf knew the lamb was right, but he was too proud and too hungry to admit it. With a fierce look, he said, “I don’t need any more reasons. I’ll eat you anyway.” And with that, he pounced on the poor lamb.
In the forest, the strong often make their own rules, and despite the truth, the wolf decided to have the lamb for lunch.
Moral of the story: Sometimes, no matter how innocent you are, people may find unjustified reasons to blame you. Always be yourself, but be cautious and wise about whom you trust.
