Once upon a time, a farmer was working on his farm. He had to do all the work on his own since he had no family to share it with. He fed the animals, tended to the plants and took care of the house, all on his own. The Farmer could use some help, but the Farmer was a stubborn bull and thought he needed no help from anyone. When people asked to help, he would refuse.
One day a Wolf decided she would offer the Farmer help. She approached the Farmer in a calm way to show she meant no harm. The Farmer spotted her and snapped, “What is a wolf like you doing here? Get on, get!”
The Wolf, taken aback by the Farmer’s rude manner replied, “Why do you not let me help you? You deserve a break from all the work that you have done!”
“I don’t need your help!” the Farmer scolded. “Now go on, get! Before I kick ya!”
The Wolf slumped away feeling hurt but not defeated the next day, she came back offering to help, “Why do you not let me help you? You deserve a break from all you have done,” the Wolf persisted.
“I told you, I don’t need your help or anyone’s for that matter,” the Farmer replied, turning away and slamming the door.
The Wolf tried again, the next day, but what happened was not expected.
“Why do you not let me help you? You deserve a break from all the work you have done,” the Wolf told the farmer for the third time.
“I don’t need your help!” the Farmer shouted, as he hit the Wolf with a shovel. The shovel struck the Wolf in leg causing her to fall to the ground. She whimpered weakly as the Farmer dropped the shovel.
“What have I done? I was acting like a lion ready to kill,” the Farmer whispered, dropping to his hands and knees.
“I’m so sorry, my friend. Could you ever forgive me?”
“If you help me like the kind farmer you can be, I will forgive you.” the Wolf told him as the Farmer helped the Wolf to her feet.
The Farmer was a busy bee as he helped the Wolf. Soon the Wolf was dashing around, as if she was a cheetah. She felt brand new thanks to the help of the Farmer.
“If you would allow me, I would like to help you on your farm,” the Wolf told the Farmer after her run.
“Well, of course, I can’t let my ferocious, fanatic friend like you get away that quick. I do need help here at home,” the Farmer replied, as he patted the Wolf on the head.
“You’ll be old MacDonald soon enough if you keep letting animals into your home,’ the Wolf joked as she walked off with the Farmer. The two laughed as they started their work for the day, finishing by lunch.
That’s how the Farmer learned that everybody needs help once in a while and when you get it, you should be grateful.
This story was transcribed and audio edited by Bernadette Becker.