The Wolf and the Tailor
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 · 880 words
First lines
This story is a story of the past -- of the days when Christ and the Twelve Apostles still walked on earth.16
One day they were still on their road, going on a long, long road, and a wolf met them and said: "Lord, I am feeling hungry."
What this Textopian page supports
The Wolf and the Tailor is listed on Textopian as a short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev, dated 1820 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Date: 1820 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Fable, Fairy Tale, Folklore, Adventure, Humor
- Length: 880 words
- Structure: 1 section, 28 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Easy (5th Grade or below)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Wolf and the Tailor by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
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Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering The Wolf and the Tailor?
- How does this short story by Alexander Nikolayevich Afanasyev fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Fable first become important in the reading?
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- Ivan The Fool by Leo Tolstoy
Genres
- Fable — The story features anthropomorphized animals and conveys a moral lesson, characteristic of fables.
- Fairy Tale — The narrative includes fantastical elements and a simple plot structure typical of fairy tales.
- Folklore — The story reflects cultural traditions and oral storytelling practices common in folklore.
- Adventure — The plot involves a series of encounters and challenges faced by the tailor and the wolf.
Tags
Folklore · Russian Folk Tales · Tale of Magic · Tailor's Cunning · Wolf's Deception · Cleverness Over Brute Force · Outwitting the Enemy · Trickster Figure · Animal Story · Human-Animal Interaction · Social Hierarchy · Class Conflict