Chapter 70
While roaming about in search of food, a wolf passed a door where a child was crying and his nurse was chiding him. As the wolf stood listening, he heard her say, “If you don’t stop crying this instant, I’ll put you outside, and the wolf will get you.”
Thinking the old woman would be as good as her word, the wolf waited quietly outside the house expecting a splendid supper. But when it grew dark and the child became quiet, he heard the nurse, who was now fondling the child, say, “That’s a good boy. Now if that naughty wolf comes, we’ll beat him to death!”
Disappointed and mortified, the wolf thought it was now high time to be going home. Indeed, hungry as only a wolf can be, he went along muttering to himself, “This comes from listening to people who say one thing and mean another!”
Wishful thinking; hopes go sinking.
