Perhaps the most famous story of St.
Francis is when he tamed the wolf that was terrorizing the people of
Gubbio. While Francis was staying in that town he learned of a wolf so
ravenous that it was not only killing and eating animals, but people,
too. The people took up arms and went after it, but those who
encountered the wolf were killed. The villagers became afraid to leave
the city walls.
Francis took pity on the people and the wolf as
well and decided to go out and meet the wolf. He was desperately warned
b.y the people, but he insisted that God would take care of him. A brave
friar and several peasants accompanied Francis outside the city gate.
But soon the peasants became terrified and said they would go no
farther.
Francis and his companion began to walk on.
Suddenly the wolf, jaws wide open, charged out of the woods at the
couple. Francis made the Sign of the Cross toward the wolf who
immediately slowed down and closed its mouth. Then Francis called out to
the wolf: "Come to me, Brother Wolf. I wish you no harm." At
that moment the wolf lowered its head and lay down at St. Francis' feet,
meek as a lamb.
St. Francis explained to the wolf that he had
been terrorizing the people, killing not only other animals, but humans
as well. "Brother Wolf," said Francis, "I want to make
peace between you and the people of Gubbio. They will harm you no more
and you must no longer harm them. All past wrongs are to be
forgiven."
The wolf showed its assent by moving its body
and nodding its head. Then to the absolute surprise of the gathering
crowd, Francis asked the wolf to make a pledge. As St. Francis extended
his hand to receive the pledge, so the wolf extended its front paw and
placed it into the saint's hand. Then Francis invited the wolf to follow
him into town to make a peace pact with the townspeople. The wolf meekly
followed St. Francis.
By the time they got to the town square,
everyone was there to witness the miracle. Then he offered the
townspeople peace, on behalf of the wolf. The townspeople promised in a
loud voice to feed the wolf. Then Francis asked the wolf if he would
live in peace under those terms. He bowed his head and twisted his body
in a way that convinced everyone he accepted the pact. Then once again
the wolf placed its paw in Francis' hand as a sign of the pact.
From that day on the people kept the pact they
had made. The wolf lived for two years among the townspeople, going from
door to door for food. It hurt no one and no one hurt it. Even the dogs
did not bark at it. When the wolf finally died of old age, the people of
Gubbio were sad. The wolf's peaceful ways had been a living reminder to
them of the wonders, patience, virtues and holiness of St. Francis.
