Part III The Pet Wolf and a Secret Revealed

Part 3 of 4

The adviser took his belt off, and used it as a leash for the wolf. In this way, the wolf became his steady companion in the woods. whenever a wild beast appeared that might harm the adviser, the wolf would kill it. If he saw a hare or fox running by, he would catch it and bring it back to the adviser.

Finally, the adviser led the wolf back to the king in the capital city. The king and his advisers were terror -stricken. They had heard so much about the fearsome wolf and were very afraid of him. The king asked the adviser to get rid of the wolf.

The adviser reassured the king, “Your Majesty, don’t be afraid. He will not harm anyone if nobody bothers him. I’ll put my head on the block for that. Why, he’s protected me in the forest and caught various animals for me to eat during my quest.”

The adviser kept the wolf at his side and treated him as a beloved pet. He told everyone that the wolf had taken pity on the adviser and allowed him to live, even though he certainly deserved to be torn to shreds, because he had tried to kill the wolf three times. That was why the adviser was now treating the wolf so well, giving him food and drink, the very best that could be had. Whenever the adviser went hunting, he always took the wolf along, and when the wolf sighted an animal, he caught it and brought it back to his master.

The king kept his promise to let his daughter marry the man who captured the wolf dead or alive. The king also gave to the young couple half of his wealth. When the old king died after a time, the adviser took his place on the throne and ruled over the entire land. He always kept the wolf at his side and was unwilling to part from him as long as he lived. This was because the wolf had saved his life, and helped him become king. Because of this, he took care of him, for it was only just.

One winter’s day, when it was snowing heavily, the young king went out hunting, and he took along the wolf. As soon as the wolf was outside, he began wagging his tail and kept running on ahead, as though he were tracking down something. The king rode after him and saw him, from afar, grubbing in the snow with his paw. When the king arrived, he saw some words written in the snow. The king was astounded and noted, “There’s something wondrous here–a wolf that can write! Perhaps he’s really a human being under a curse! Such things have happened in the past.”

No one could read the writing. So the king sent for scholars and wise men, but none of them could read the script. Among the king’s advisers, there was one scholar who knew Hebrew, and he said, “Your majesty, that is the script of Jewish people.”

And he began to read:

“Dear king, remember our friendship and do not forget the good I did you when you came to my den in the woods. I could have torn you to shreds for I overpowered you three times. You certainly deserved it. But I spared your life. In the end, you became king. Know then that I have a wife in the town of (and he mentioned the name of the town) she put an evil spell on me. If I don’t get the wishing-ring back very soon, I’ll have to remain a wolf for the rest of my days. If I can get back the wishing-ring she tricked me out of, I can become a human being again like everyone else. Therefore, I beg of you, remember my loyalty to you. Ride to that town, take the ring from my wife and bring it back to me for the sake of our friendship.” There was also a sign showing what the ring looked like. All this was written clearly in the snow.

Upon hearing this, the king who was truly a noble and honourable man said, “I want to help him even if I have to risk my life.”

With no further ado, he started out with three servants, rode, and rode until he came to the town where the rabbi had said that his wife lived. Here, he announced that he wanted to buy lovely rings and old-fashioned jewelry. Nothing was too expensive for him. He would pay the full price. He also summoned the Jewish people of the town and asked them whether they had any old-fashioned gold or rings or perhaps even gems. The Jewish people told him, “We are poor people, but there is a woman here in town who owns a lot of beautiful jewelry and many gold rings.”

He asked them to take him to the woman. They took him to the fine home of the wealthy woman and no one even suspected that he was the king himself. They he was an ordinary merchant who dealt in gold and all kinds of precious stones.

Upon coming into the woman’s home, the king greeted her, “Listen, my good woman. I’ve been told that you own old rare jewelry and old golden rings, some with and some without precious stones, but with lovely, old-fashioned work. If I see something I like, I’ll pay you a good price.”

He took out many lovely rings from his pouch and told her he had bought them along his journey. The greedy woman said, “I will be pleased to show you my old gold.”

She went into her chamber and took out quite a number of precious objects. The king had never seen anything so beautiful in all his life. He was astounded at finding a Jewish woman with such lovely things. Suddenly, he caught sight of a string of rings, and among them was the gold ring that the wolf had described. The king thought to himself, “How can I get the ring?”

He took hold of the rings and thinking to himself, “If only my wolf had the ring he desires.”

He offered the woman, “How much would you like for such rings?” He didn’t point to the magic ring.

The woman answered, “Five thousand gold coins.”

The king bought two exquisite ring from her collection, and he palmed the wishing-ring and but the woman didn’t even notice. He paid her the requested money, took his leave, and went back to his palace.

By the time she returned to her home, the woman realized that the wishing-ring was missing. Sadly, she realized, what could she do? She didn’t even know who the merchant was. She was as miserable and grief-stricken as a widow, and no one could console her.

May all your tales end with Shalom (peace)

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Rachmiel Tobesman is a motivational speaker and Maggid (spiritual Storyteller). He is available for speaking engagements or storytelling, Click here to contact us

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