OUR STORY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 185, 12 July 1940, Page 6

OUR STORY

THE WOLF OF GUBBIO You have heard of the good St* Francis of Assissi. Well, here is a story concerning him. At one time St. Francis was living in the city of Gubbio, which is surrounded by thick forest and beset by lonely paths. There lived in the forest a fierce grey wolf, who came out of the woods from time to time and devoured the cattle in the district. If any man met him in the way, the wolf sprang upon him and devoured, him also, so that the people of Gubbio became so much alarmed that when they Avent outside the city walls they carried arms as though they were going to battle. But so bold did the Avolf become that at Hast no one dared go out of the ; citj r at all. St. Francis felt so much pity for the terrified people that he said: "I shall go forth and convert this wicked, - wolf." And, although they begged him not to go, he went barej handed out of the city, making the Sign of the Cross as he tiook the path to the forest. The people, very much afraid, stood afar oft" and Avatehed him. And behold! when Francis drew near to the forest, the monstrous wolf rushed out upon him, Avith open mouth and long red tongue. When he came near, Francis made o\ r er him the Sign of the Gross, and called out to him: "Come along, Brother Wolf, I command you in the -Name of Christ that you do 110 harm to me or to anyone.'* And .then a Avondrous thing happened. As .soon as the saint maefc the Sign of the Cross, the great grey Avolf .shut his mouth and ceased f o leap, but came running gently like a lamb and lay doAvn to rest at the feet of Francis. So Francis made treaty with the Avolf of Gubbio and said to him: "Brother Wolf, you have done much evil in these parts, •killing the creatures of God Avithout His permission. You have killed not only cattle, but also men, winch is the sin of murder. For tills 3 r ou deserve to be hung upon the gailows is a thief and a murderer. Bu' ne-w, Brother Wolf, i have come tc make peace between t;'u:«e who cry but lor j'our death, ami you, and i r yen promise never again to ofTcv! they shall forgive you and neither ■liii:! nor dog shall s.'ck your life," Then the great g y o'f bewe- 1

his head, and wagged his tail,, and gazed up at Francis, crouching meantime at his feeii, in order to show that he agreed to all he said. Francis said again: "Brother Wolf, sincc you promise to keep this peace I promise on my side that your food shall be given tb you day by day, since I know well that it is hunger that has driven you to all this evil. You must promise me never to harm man or beast Do you promise?''' The grey wolf bowed his head and licked the saint'tf hand, as n pledge of faith. Then he followed Francis like a gentle dog towards the city. | When they entered Gubbio, all the citizens, young and old, rich and poor, 'thronged together in the market-place to see the strange sight. For Francis came in alone through the gates of the city, and his hand rested upon the head of panion, and the wolf Avas walking gently by his side like an affectionate dog.' Seeing all the people, Francis began to preach to them, telling them how much more dreadful Avere the jaAV's of sin than the fangs of a wolf ; and bidding them repent their sins. And from this time the grey AA r olf lived in Gubbio, visiting the houses and going from door to door without doing anyone harm, or anyone doing injury to him; and all the folk welcomed him to their dAvellings. Not even the dogs barked at him. At last he died of old age, and all the people of Gubbio grieAred at his loss, for.AV'hile he went about the city so kindly and gently, they Avere reminded .every time they saw him of the sweet and holy Francis.