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The Gray wolf is one of the vanishing icons of North America. Just 150 years ago, Gray wolves were a frequent sight on the American plains. Lewis and Clark wrote of seeing packs of wolves hunting giant herds of buffalo. Unfortunately, ranchers and settlers were afraid wolves would prey on their livestock and game. Every state began killing wolves and even the federal government contributed to their elimination. Today, Gray wolves are an endangered species. Wolves are rarely aggressive towards people. Wolves are actually shy around people and will choose to run away, even when humans search their dens for young. DID YOU KNOW! The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has changed the wolf's status from "endangered" to "threatened" in the lower 48 states. This lack of federal protection is allowing many western states to wage a war on wolves -- just as they were beginning to make a comeback. Information provided by: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/critters/wolf.html |
An old Indian Grandfather said to his grandson who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice. "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do. But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued..."It is as if there are two wolves inside me; One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way. He saves all his energy for the right fight. But the other wolf, ahhh! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger, for his anger will change nothing. Sometimes it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, for both of them try to dominate my spirit." The boy looked intently into his Grandfather's eyes and asked... "Which one wins, Grandfather?" The Grandfather smiled and quietly said... "The one I feed." Author: Unknown |
