Wolf and God (Chechen tale)

Long time ago, God created the earth, made it populated with people, animals, and other living creatures, and gave them instruction how to live, "Do not violate my commandments, live in peace and agreement and remember that you all are equal to one another!" He loved his children so much that gave them paradise. And all lived on the earth, expressing respect and love to one another.

But after many years, they began to forget and break God's commandments: people killed people, big and strong animals devoured small and weak ones. And only the wolf did not want to become like everyone else, saying that God created all the creatures equal and such actions violate his law and he would punish all. But no one listened to it.

When God saw dirt and violence on the earth instead of paradise, he sent his angels to people, but people rejected them.

Then, God got angry and decided to destroy all the living creatures on the earth. He sent great calamity on the earth. The sun became red like blood, and sand was falling from the sky, so that it was hard to breath. Mountains were collapsing, and cold wind rooted out trees, burring every living creature under them. People and animals were in panic, seeking for rescue.

And only the wolf turned its face to the great calamity, protecting its kids. And God poured all his anger on it. The strong wind wounded the wolf, but it did not surrender. People who proclaimed themselves to be rulers of the earth, cowardly hid themselves behind the wolf in order to rescue their sinful souls.

God was amazed at firmness and courage of the wolf. He stopped the calamity and said, "I have seen that on this sinful earth there is one decent creature, and for its sake I give you life, but I do not forgive you." And he turned away from the earth.

People killed the wounded wolf because they could not stand their fear and shame. Since that time, people persecute and kill wolves, trying to destroy remembrance of their guilt before God. And wolves roar, looking to the sky, asking God to turn to the earth, forgive our sins and restore justice on the earth.

For Chechen people, the wolf that protected the earth is a symbol of courage and steadfastness, personification of freedom and life on the earth.