The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

About this story

The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing is usually printed among Aesop's Fables, but the story in its familiar form comes from medieval sources rather than the ancient Greek collections. The phrase is older still: in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus warns of false prophets who come in sheep's clothing but are ravenous wolves inside. In the old tellings the shepherd picks the disguised wolf for his supper by mistake; in this VoiceSmiths retelling he picks him for shearing, a curious lamb and a sharp-eyed old ewe see through the disguise, and the wolf runs off for good.

Tips for telling it

• When Daisy talks to Woolly, ask: is the new sheep really a sheep? What gives him away?
• Count the flock together with Ben: forty-eight, forty-nine, fifty... fifty-one?
• Talk about how to tell whether someone is really friendly: watch what they do, not just what they say or wear.

Questions people ask

What does "a wolf in sheep's clothing" mean?

It describes someone who hides bad intentions behind a friendly, harmless appearance. The phrase comes from the Gospel of Matthew, where Jesus warns of false prophets in sheep's clothing, and it was later told as a fable.

What is the moral of The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing?

Appearances can be deceiving, so judge people by their actions. The fable also shows that someone who disguises himself to do harm is often caught out by his own trick.

Is The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing one of Aesop's Fables?

It is traditionally included in Aesop's Fables, but it is not one of the ancient Greek fables: the story as we know it appears in medieval sources, while the phrase goes back to the Gospel of Matthew.