Feeding the Wolves Within: Lessons from the Two Wolves Story

There’s an old story — often attributed to the Cherokee or other Native American traditions — that has made its way through campfires, classrooms, and coaching circles alike. It’s the story of the Two Wolves, and while it may only take a minute to tell, the lessons it carries are profound, especially for those navigating the complexities of modern life.

The Story (Version 1)

An old Cherokee grandfather is teaching his grandson about life.

“A fight is going on inside me,” he said to the boy.

“It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves.

One is evil — he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, and ego.

The other is good — he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

The same fight is going on inside you — and inside every other person, too.”

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf will win?”

The old Cherokee simply replied, “The one you feed.”

This version is by far the most commonly told. It’s simple, clear, and immediately impactful. It’s been used in countless motivational speeches and is often labeled a “Cherokee proverb,” even though its exact origins are difficult to verify.

The Story (Version 2)

There’s a lesser-known variation of this tale that offers a nuanced ending.

The grandson asked, “Which wolf will win?”

The old man replied, “If you feed them right, they both win. You see, if I only feed the white wolf, the black one will hide in the dark, waiting for me when I’m not paying attention. He will leap out and get the attention he craves.

But if I acknowledge him, he is happy, and the white wolf is happy, too. We all have these wolves inside us, and the trick is to care for both.”

This version has gained popularity among therapists, trauma-informed coaches, and those working in the realms of shadow work or Jungian psychology. It speaks not just to the tension between good and evil, but to the integration of the parts of ourselves we often try to deny.

Why Both Versions Matter

• Version 1 speaks to the power of focus and choice. Which inner voice are you amplifying? Which habits, thoughts, and patterns are you feeding?

• Version 2 acknowledges the value in our shadow side — the parts of us that are messy, uncomfortable, or reactive. Integration is about leadership of the whole self, not exile of the parts we don’t like.

Why “Negative” Emotions Might Not Be So Negative

Let’s take a closer look at the so-called “evil wolf” traits: anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, ego.

What if they weren’t all bad?

• Anger can signal that your boundaries are being violated.

• Envy may reveal a hidden desire or unacknowledged goal.

• Guilt can prompt moral reflection and behavior change.

• Arrogance might mask a deep insecurity — bringing awareness to it allows for healing.

When we approach these emotions with curiosity instead of judgment, they become teachers, not enemies.

In coaching and therapy, this is the foundation of inner work. Instead of suppressing or battling parts of ourselves, we explore what they’re trying to tell us — and lead from a place of integration.

🧠 A Neuroscience Lens: Why ‘Negative’ Emotions Aren’t the Enemy

From a brain-based perspective, emotions — even the uncomfortable ones — are not glitches. They are evolutionary signals, honed for survival and adaptation.

1. The Amygdala’s Role: Not Just Fear, but Salience

The amygdala is commonly associated with fear, but it actually helps tag emotionally significant events — both positive and negative — so that the brain can prioritize attention and memory formation.

When you feel envy, anger, or guilt, your brain is saying:

“This matters. Pay attention. There’s a potential threat or opportunity here.”

That’s why dismissing these emotions outright robs you of valuable information.

2. Emotions as “Action Potentials”

Neuroscientist Antonio Damasio’s work revealed that emotions are essential to decision-making. People with brain damage in emotional centers (like the ventromedial prefrontal cortex) may understand facts rationally, but struggle with basic decisions.

Negative emotions help us weigh risks, assess threats, and consider consequences.

They push us toward correction, repair, or boundary-setting.

3. Neuroplasticity and Emotional Suppression

Chronic suppression of emotions can lead to overactivation of the sympathetic nervous system, creating a feedback loop of stress and reactivity.

Over time, the brain can become wired for hypervigilance or avoidance — limiting growth and adaptability.

In contrast, naming and processing emotions engages the prefrontal cortex and insula, helping the brain rewire toward self-awareness and regulation.

4. “Name it to Tame it”

Labeling emotions activates the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex, which helps dampen the amygdala’s threat response — a process known as “name it to tame it.”

Just saying “I feel resentment” or “I notice envy” begins to shift your physiology and awareness.

This supports the second version of the Two Wolves story: You don’t need to exile the dark wolf — you need to understand it.

Practical Questions to Reflect On

• What’s one “dark wolf” emotion you tend to judge or avoid?

• What might that emotion be trying to protect or reveal?

• Are there moments when your “white wolf” (kindness, compassion) was only possible because you first met your pain?

• What practices help you listen to both wolves — without letting either one take over?

Final Thought

Whether you resonate more with version one or version two, the real wisdom of the Two Wolves story lies in its simplicity:

“You are not your thoughts. You are the one who chooses which ones to follow.”

In a world that often pulls us to extremes, the path forward may not be choosing one wolf over the other but learning to walk between them, feed each wisely, and lead from wholeness.

Let this story be more than just words. Let it be an invitation to look inward and lead your life — not from fear or denial, but from integration, wisdom, and deep self-compassion.