In a lush green forest, a hungry wolf wandered in search of food. One day, he spotted a big, fluffy dog resting comfortably by a cozy house. The dog looked happy and well-fed, making the wolf’s stomach rumble with envy. “How do you live so well?” the wolf asked.

The dog, wagging his tail, replied, “My owner takes care of me. I get food every day! You should come live with me, and you’ll never have to worry about being hungry again.”

The wolf was tempted by the offer, imagining a life with plenty of food and comfort. But then he noticed a collar around the dog’s neck and asked, “What’s that collar for?”

“Oh, it keeps me safe,” the dog explained, “but it also means I have to stay close to the house and can’t run free.”

The wolf paused to think. He could have food and comfort, but only by giving up his freedom. After a moment, he shook his head and said, “No, thank you. I’d rather be free in the wild than be trapped, even if it means going hungry sometimes.”

With that, the wolf trotted off into the forest, choosing the thrill of freedom over a life of ease behind a collar.

Moral:

Better to be free than live in comfort as a slave.

Parenting Tip: This story highlights the importance of making thoughtful choices. Discuss with your child how sometimes we must decide between comfort and freedom, and how both have their advantages and challenges.

Fun Questions For Curious Kids

• Why was the wolf tempted to live like the dog?
• How did the collar change the wolf’s mind?
• What would you choose: freedom or comfort? Why?
• Do you think the dog was happy with his life? Why or why not?
• If you were the wolf, what would you do?
• Why do you think freedom was so important to the wolf?
• Can you think of a situation where you had to choose between two things you wanted? How did you decide?
• What does it mean to be truly free?

Did You Know? Fun Facts About Dogs And Wolves!

1. Wolves are great travelers: They can roam up to 12 miles a day while searching for food.
2. Dogs and wolves share ancestors: Domestic dogs are descendants of ancient wolves that were tamed by humans thousands of years ago.
3. Wolves communicate in many ways: They use howls, body language, and even facial expressions to talk to each other.
4. Dogs love routine: Unlike wolves, dogs enjoy sticking to a daily schedule, which makes them great companions.
5. Wolves are excellent hunters: They work together in packs to bring down large prey like deer and moose.
6. Dogs can learn over 100 words: With training, dogs can understand commands and even recognize emotions.
7. Wolves are highly territorial: A wolf pack defends its territory fiercely, which can be as large as 100 square miles.
8. Dogs and collars go way back: Evidence of dogs wearing collars dates back to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia.
9. Wolves rarely attack humans: Despite their wild nature, wolves tend to avoid human interaction.
10. Dogs wag their tails to communicate: A wagging tail can mean happiness, curiosity, or even nervousness!

Download Free Coloring Pages Related To This Story

Bring the story to life with coloring pages designed to spark creativity and make story time even more fun. Coloring helps kids express their creativity, improve focus, and reinforce the story’s themes in a fun, engaging way. After reading together, let them bring the story to life with colors!

Click on any of the free coloring pages below to download or print it!