The narrative unfolds in a time when Christ and the Apostles roamed the earth. A hungry wolf approaches Christ, who instructs him to eat a mare. The wolf attempts to do so but is thwarted when the mare kicks him, knocking out his teeth. Undeterred, the wolf seeks another meal and is directed to a ram, who tricks him into opening his mouth and then charges at him, sending the wolf flying. Frustrated, the wolf complains to Christ again and is told to eat a tailor. The wolf confronts the tailor, who cleverly negotiates for his life by asking to take measurements. Instead, the tailor seizes the wolf's tail and beats him, causing the wolf to flee in panic, now tailless. The wolf encounters seven other wolves and explains his predicament. They decide to pursue the tailor, who climbs a tree to escape. The wolves devise a plan to stack on top of each other to reach the tailor. Sensing danger, the tailor cleverly blames the manx-wolf at the bottom of the stack, causing him to flee. The remaining wolves tumble down and chase the manx-wolf, ultimately tearing him apart. The tailor seizes the opportunity to descend the tree and return home safely. The story illustrates themes of cunning, deception, and the consequences of underestimating others. The tailor's wit allows him to outsmart the wolf and his pack, emphasizing the triumph of intelligence over brute strength.
By Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev · First published 1820 · Genre: Fable, Fairy Tale, Folklore