Francesco e Il Lupo di Gubbio.

(Una storia vera.  A true story.)

C'era una volta......
Once upon a time....

During the winter of 1220, in the little Italian town of Gubbio, the snow was falling and everywhere was frozen. 

The animals living in the surrounding woods and countryside were starving.  They could find no food in the freezing conditions.  As a result, the hungry animals entered the little town so that the people of Gubbio could give them scraps of food. 

During that terrible winter, all the wild animals (such as deer, foxes, birds and rabbits) survived through the food given by the kind people of Gubbio.
   

Then one day, a hungry wolf arrived in the town.  He too was searching for food.  He killed some of the animals and terrified the people. 
The wolf continued to visit the town every day, looking for food.  The people of Gubbio now lived in fear.  Children were not allowed to play outside.  Brave men searched the woods, hoping to find and kill the scary wolf.

The spring arrived but the wolf continued to terrify the town.  Every day or night, he arrived searching for food.

One day, Francesco, a young man from the nearby town of Assisi, visited Gubbio.  Francesco loved animals and he knew how to speak their language.  He saw how frightened the folk were.  He listened carefully to their story. 

Next, accompanied by a large group of people,  Francesco decided to visit the wolf.

The wolf stood still, listening to Francesco's words.  The young man continued to speak:

" The people of Gubbio wish to live in peace.  They are very frightened of you.  If they promise to feed you every day  will you promise to be their friend?"

The wolf listened carefully.  He lifted his right paw for Francesco to hold.  At that moment, everyone could see that the wolf had changed and had become their friend.

Every day, for the next two years, the wolf entered the town of Gubbio, but the people were no longer afraid.  They left plates of food outside so that the wolf could eat plenty.  Children stroked him and played with him.  The wolf was happy because he no longer suffered from hunger and he felt loved by the people. 
The wolf was not a dangerous beast.  He was a true friend. 
Everyone was happy.

For two years, the wolf lived peacefully with the people of Gubbio.  And then something terrible happened!  The wolf died!  The people of Gubbio were heart-broken.  Everyone wept with sadness.  The wolf, who was once their enemy, was now so terribly missed. 
They had lost a great friend:- their Brother Wolf.  

Arrivederci, carissimo frate lupo!
(Goodbye, dearest brother wolf!)


To read about Saint Francis (San Francesco) click HERE.