When Sister Wolf heard this, the heart in her furry chest sank. She understood their hunger but was committed to protecting the people of Stonebriar. Sister Wolf started traveling with the merchants and nobles along the road.
One day, while Sister Wolf was walking alongside one of the nobles, the outlaws attacked. Four of them brandished daggers while the skinny one carried a bow.
Leaping between the outlaws and the nobleman, Sister Wolf snarled and snapped her bared teeth. Since there was no longer violence in her heart, her ferocity was pretend. She hoped the outlaws would be scared enough to run away.
Sure enough, the men turned and ran. They had heard of gentle Sister Wolf, but they still remembered the terrifying stories of the Blood Wolf.
That night in her cave, Sister Wolf couldn’t sleep. She considered both the people of Stonebriar and the outlaws to be part of her new pack.
She thought of the rich nobles and merchants; they had more than they needed. She thought of the poor in their hovels and the beggars on the streets who had too little. She thought of the outlaws, who were like the beggars but were too willing to kill to get what they wanted.
And she thought of her good friend, the Beggar King. She remembered what the Beggar King had taught her about how hard it was for people to share.
Since her heart and mind were too full to sleep, she went for a walk under the cool light of the full moon.
As she walked, she watched the trees gently swaying in the breeze. She heard the hoot of a barn owl as it flapped into the night. Sister Wolf thought to herself, “Owls are able to make nests to keep out the cold. Why couldn’t the outlaws be like barn owls?”
She kept walking, slowly making her way down the mountain towards the road to Brookhaven. She saw a frightened hare hop across her path. Sister Wolf thought to herself, “Hares are able to eat roots and wild vegetables all year long. Why couldn’t the outlaws be like hares?”
Suddenly, Sister Wolf had an idea. She would ask the creatures of the forest to share their wisdom with the outlaws. If the outlaws could no longer go back to their villages, perhaps they could learn to live happily in the forest.
At first, none of the animals of the forest would let Sister Wolf get close enough to them to talk. After all, most of the animals had relatives who had been eaten by wolves. But there are some animals wolves don’t eat, and it was these that listened to Sister Wolf.
A porcupine was the first to agree to teach the outlaws. She would show them where to find roots and tubers that were good to eat.
Next, an old boar with long tusks agreed to show the outlaws where to find wild berries and fruits.
A pair of turtledoves agreed to show the outlaws where to find seeds and nuts that were good for eating.
Finally, Sister Wolf walked to nearby Mount Meer to talk to a brown bear that lived there. She agreed to teach the outlaws how to catch trout.
The porcupine, boar, turtledoves, and brown bear all agreed to meet at Sister Wolf’s cave during the first sunrise after the new moon. In the meantime, Sister Wolf did her best to sneak food to the outlaws.
One day, as Sister Wolf begged for food, she caught the mingled scent of wheat and fire, willow and pine, raven and stone. It was the scent of her dear friend, the Beggar King! She ran to him, tail wagging and he gave her a big hug.
Joyfully, Sister Wolf told him of her plans. The Beggar King, who had learned to live comfortably in both city, field, and forest, agreed to teach the outlaws how to make shelters and clothing from whatever they could scavenge.
During the first sunrise after the new moon, Sister Wolf set out with her fellow teachers. They arrived at the outlaw camp just as the men were splitting a small rabbit for their meager breakfast.
When the porcupine, boar, brown bear, and wolf emerged from the bushes, the outlaws jumped to their feet in fear. When the Beggar King also stepped out of the bushes with a turtledove on each shoulder, their fear turned to wonder.
The Beggar King said, “Outlaws, we know you are hungry and cold. But you must no longer attack travelers on the road to Brookhaven. Sister Wolf, who cares for you so much that she’s been sneaking you food for months, has come to teach you another way to live.”
Overcome with gratitude for Sister Wolf’s generosity, the outlaws were speechless. They remained silent for a time. When a beggar, a wolf, a bear, a porcupine, a boar, and two turtledoves ask you to do something, it is wise to listen.
So began the school of the forest.
The porcupine showed them where to find roots and tubers that were good for food.
The old boar taught them where to find wild berries and fruits.
The doves showed them how to find seeds and nuts.
The Beggar King taught them how to build simple shelters and how to use plant fibers (like milkweed) and bird feathers to make their clothes warmer.
The brown bear had the toughest job. She tried to teach the outlaws how to scoop trout out of the stream, but it was too cold for them. In the end, the outlaw with the oddly pointy hat was able to weave a simple net to catch fish instead.
The school in the forest continued well into spring. The animals and the Beggar King taught them everything they could. Eventually, the outlaws were able to care for themselves and even begin to store wild grains and nuts and seeds. They were able to dry edible roots and fish and berries.
It was a hard, but good life.
7
The Funeral
Midsummer approached.
The outlaws were able to build simple homes and storage huts amidst the ruins they called home. Soon, they were able to send word (by asking Sister Wolf to carry notes written on scraps of paper) for their families to join them.
The Beggar King visited from time to time. He taught them how to accept each day as it came, and not to worry about the future. The outlaws gave him all the gold they had stolen, which the Beggar King in turn gave to those in need.
The turtledoves decided to stay with the outlaws. The boar and the porcupine visited often. The bear went back to her home to start a family of her own.
Sister Wolf visited them most nights, but no longer needed to bring them food. In fact, sometimes the outlaws would share their food with her.
The outlaws were content.
Unfortunately, the outlaws hadn’t been forgotten. For months, the village council had been sending soldiers to search for the outlaws. Each time the soldiers left Stonebriar, Sister Wolf followed at a distance.
One day, the soldiers discovered the outlaw camp. They were out on a routine search when they caught the scent of roasting vegetables. They followed their noses to the hidden camp. The outlaws were surprised. The captain, seizing the moment, yelled to his soldiers, “Draw your swords!”
At this, Sister Wolf leapt out from the shadows and stood between the soldiers and the outlaws. Whenever the captain took a step towards the outlaws, Sister Wolf drew closer to him. Instead of growling or snarling, Sister Wolf just looked him in the eyes, head low.
It was then that the outlaw with the oddly pointy hat spoke to the captain. “We surrender! We are guilty of robbery and even murder. Though we committed our crimes out of desperation and hunger, we have earned your punishment. Nevertheless, we ask for mercy.”
Then the fat outlaw interrupted: “We promise to never harm anyone ever again! Sister Wolf brought a bear, a porcupine, a boar, two turtledoves, and the Beggar King to teach us how to live simply in the forest! We now live off of the land and even gave all the gold we stole to the poor!”
At this, the captain laughed. “You expect me to believe that?”
Then the captain saw two turtledoves resting on the shoulders of one of the outlaws’ children. He saw a boar sleeping by the campfire and a porcupine scratching his nose near the feet of the skinny outlaw. And Sister Wolf, who was beloved by all of Stonebriar, stood quietly in front of him, looking him in the eye.
That day, the captain and his soldiers made a solemn promise to keep the outlaw cam
p a secret, so long as they promised to never trouble another traveler again. If a murderous wolf could change her ways, why couldn’t a group of outlaws?
Seasons passed.
The soldiers kept their promise. The captain even visited the outlaws to help harvest food. In time, he left his post and joined the outlaw community.
The outlaw community was happy and healthy. Some seasons were harder than others, but even when their bellies were empty, their hearts were full. It was a joyous life. They were free to live in harmony with the forest without fear.
Sister Wolf traveled the countryside. Stories of her adventures spread; throughout the region, the people praised her compassion and courage. These stories have been passed down from generation to generation and are still told by bedsides and around campfires ’til this day.
As the seasons passed, her old injury began to bother her more and more. She had to put her adventuring days behind her. Nevertheless, she tried to visit the outlaws every Sunday, to join them for prayer and singing (Sister Wolf howled along).
Then, one day, she stopped visiting. Weeks passed. During an evening campfire, the Beggar King appeared and told them that Sister Wolf was very sick and didn’t have much longer to live.
So it was that the five outlaws, in the dead of night, came to Sister Wolf’s cave to say goodbye. The five of them, along with the Beggar King, were with her when she died. She died a happy wolf, surrounded by true friends.
At sunrise, the Beggar King carried the thin body of Sister Wolf to the gate of Stonebriar. When he got to the city gate, he yelled up to the guard with the grey beard, “Open the gate!” And he did.
News spread quickly. The council decided to throw a lavish funeral. All of Stonebriar attended. Except, of course, Grumpus the rooster.
Some folks (and animals) don’t believe people (or animals) can change. Grumpus never forgave Sister Wolf. Stubbornly, he stayed home.
And so, everyone (except Grumpus) crowded the streets as six city guards carried an ornate coffin containing the body of Sister Wolf to a gravesite near the center of the village.
Sparing no expense, the council built a small marble chapel over her grave. Above the marble altarpiece hung a gold-plated cross with precious gems. Sadly, the council wouldn’t allow the beggars inside the chapel. The council members worried they’d get it dirty or try to sleep in it.
Every year, on the anniversary of Sister Wolf’s death, Stonebriar would ring the chapel bell and the city would observe an hour of silence. Many visited the chapel to pray. But those who knew and loved Sister Wolf the best never set foot in the chapel.
The outlaws honored Sister Wolf differently.
They observed the anniversary of Sister Wolf’s death by hosting a feast. Many of the animals of the forest joined them, as did some of the beggars from Stonebriar. In the outlaw community, all were welcomed as honored guests.
On that day, the Beggar King would pray outside the marble chapel in Stonebriar before heading to the feast at the outlaw camp.
Every year, they served nut cakes, smoked fish, roasted vegetables, fresh fruit, and hearty bread.
At the end of the evening, all would gather around a large campfire as the Beggar King shared the tales of Sister Wolf, including the one of how he met Sister Wolf. It is the story that you now know, beloved reader.
It is the story of a red wolf who was born to become the Lord of the Forest. She tried to rule through fear, but learned to serve with love.
The Legend of Francis and the Wolf
A Wolf at the Gate is inspired by the legend of Saint Francis and the Wolf of Gubbio. In the legend, Francis (who I refer to in my story as “the Beggar King”) is the hero, not the wolf. I’ve always wondered what the story would be like from the wolf’s point of view.
Saint Francis is one of the most beloved people in history. Inspired by the life and message of Jesus, he lived in poverty, cared for the sick, and shared a story of God’s love with people and animals alike.
Is the story true? Did Saint Francis meet a murderous wolf? Did that wolf turn from its violent ways and become friends with an entire village?
Here’s what we know:
Francis lived in Gubbio around the year 1220. According to tradition, Gubbio gave the wolf an honorable burial and later built the Church of Saint Francis of the Peace at the site of the wolf’s burial.
In 1872, during renovations of the Church of Saint Francis, workers discovered the skeleton of a wolf under a slab near the church wall.
The facts speak for themselves.
About Mark and Joel
Mark Van Steenwyk lives in a big old house in Minneapolis with his wife Amy, his son Jonas, and an assortment of friends. Their home is one of two houses of hospitality that share food and lodging with strangers. This is his first book for children. He’s written a few other books to help grownups become more like the red wolf.
Joel Hedstrom is an illustrator working in the Twin Cities. He graduated in 2010 with a BFA from the College of Visual Arts. His influences include Japanese woodblock prints, tattoos, Greek vases, and printmaking.
Songs for A Wolf at the Gate
Jon Felton and his Soulmobile
CD • 30 minutes
Jon Felton and his Soulmobile combine acoustic Appalachian instruments, punk energy, and a hint of silliness to illuminate the plot, themes, and characters of Mark Van Steenwyk’s award-winning book for youngsters, A Wolf at the Gate. Humorous and singable, these may be the first songs about class struggle, income inequality, and creative nonviolence that your child loves. Good for grown-ups, too.
About Jon Felton and his Soulmobile:
It’s like this: SOULMOBILE’s always riding off into the dusty old horizon. That’s their home. Fending off dangers untold with guitars, banjo, dulcimer, drums, and whatever’s nearby, Camp Soul is holding out and ringing a bell. Jon carries the vision, the others hold him up and give the thing its shape. Body and soul, maybe: Properly difficult to distinguish. In any case, if you peek in on them don’t be bashful; I think you’ll find them welcoming to strangers.
ABOUT PM PRESS
PM Press was founded at the end of 2007 by a small collection of folks with decades of publishing, media, and organizing experience. PM Press co-conspirators have published and distributed hundreds of books, pamphlets, CDs, and DVDs. Members of PM have founded enduring book fairs, spearheaded victorious tenant organizing campaigns, and worked closely with bookstores, academic conferences, and even rock bands to deliver political and challenging ideas to all walks of life. We’re old enough to know what we’re doing and young enough to know what’s at stake.
We seek to create radical and stimulating fiction and nonfiction books, pamphlets, T-shirts, visual and audio materials to entertain, educate, and inspire you. We aim to distribute these through every available channel with every available technology, whether that means you are seeing anarchist classics at our bookfair stalls; reading our latest vegan cookbook at the café; downloading geeky fiction e-books; or digging new music and timely videos from our website.
Contact us for direct ordering and questions about all PM Press releases, as well as manuscript submissions, review copy requests, foreign rights sales, author interviews, to book an author for an event, and to have PM Press attend your bookfair:
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510-658-3906 • [email protected]
Buy books and stay on top of what we are doing at:
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ABOUT REACH AND TEACH
Reach And Teach is a peace and social justice learning company, transforming the world through teachable moments. They publish and distribute books, music, posters, games, curriculum, and DVDs that focus on peacemaking and healing the planet.
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San Mateo, CA 94403
www.reachandteach.com
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