The Farmer, His Hound and Sheep

[Callistus 989]

 

”It is the old and ancient men who deplored the fear of God, and it is upon old and ancient men that the great wrath of God solemnly fell.”

-Excerpted of an introductory to the ‘Opus of Extermination’, c. 1598

 

---

 

”Ever heard the tale of the farmer, his wolf and his sheep?”

 

”. . .”

 

”It is alright. Not many, after all, know of such complications. Simple-folk tend often to avoid these sort of matters, prefering, no doubt, to free their minds of tedious thought.”

 

”. . .”

 

”Mmph... it goes like so: a farmer, consorted by his wolf, sheep and cabbage, wishes to transport his flock to the other side. An uneasy complication arises, however, when he discovers the boat cannot carry all three, nor two, but merely himself and either of the ternion. If he seized the cabbage, attempting thereon to traverse the lake, the wolf will ravage the sheep. If he seized the wolf, attempting likewise, the sheep will ravage the cabbage. How then does the poor sod proceed?”

 

”. . .”

 

“Indeed, the farmer will take the sheep, where it is on all counts separated from the cabbage, and the wolf, alone, shan’t exhibit interest in the vegetation. He then rows back to gather the wolf, laying him on the other side,-- what?”

 

”. . .”

 

”No, no, the wolf isn’t to be left alone with the sheep. For our man shall once again procure, and row the sheep back to the other-side. Our sower then leaves her, garners the cabbage, and sets it besides the wolf.

Then, well, the farmer returns the sheep, and so it went that he emerged succesfuly from the predicament, bearing but joy and well-pride. Hm?”

 

”. . .”

 

“Oh, but he doesn’t. As you guessed, the wolf cannot be truly tamed, even if he should adeptly feign the impression of such. For he quietly awaits the man be done with his supper, having dined on the cabbage and left the sheep bare and in ill-defence, when he strikes unexpectedly, tearing with his teeth and claw both man and sheep, the cabbage and the well-prepared meal, feasting thenceforth on all three. The reason such torment befalls our farmer is for he has not prayed to God before his trouble, nor has he expressed grace, and neither, indeed, has he prayed afore his nightly meal. For God, albeit merciful, is not negligent entire, nor is he fond of ingratitude. And the wolf is said to be the accomplice of the devil.”

 

”. . .”

 

”But is time you went to sleep, is it not? Come, let us garb you appropriately.”

 

The wolf, with his great, black tail, the slobbering red tongue of his gaping mouth, his deformed snout and his broken teeth, no longer held yet an ounce of strength. He grievously wailed as the priest yanked him apart, but the barren land was home to none of its kin, its cries shallow and fallen upon deaf, or no ears, thus unheard and disapparated. The vicar in black, reciting preposterously of a strange book, slew the wolf and devoured him whole, plucking thereafter the fur from his teeth.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Zacho 2177]

Moved to The Great Library. It shall be sorted into the appropriate category shortly.

 

If you feel this is a mistake, please contact myself or any FM and we'll restore it.