Man’s fear of the wolf is the main reason these animals have received such a negative image. Historically the wolf is perceived as a ferocious, cruel beast driven by a ravenous hunger. His strength, intelligence (viewed as cunning) and speed were considered abnormal. Eerie. Demonic. The wolf gradually came to symbolise evil and negativity became synonymous with his name. Wolves came to represent shadowy Night and harsh Winter, terrible Storm and heartbreaking Stress… until eventually he morphed into a dark, mysterious omen of Death.

Two of the world’s most famous and best loved fantasy stories cast the wolf in a villainous role. C S Lewis’ “Maugrim” is leader of the wolves that serve the White Witch in “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”. In Tolkien’s “Rings” trilogy the Shire is attacked by wolves during a particularly harsh winter, while a pack of wolves called “Wargs” fight alongside the evil Orcs.

But not all fantasy fiction portray the wolf as a bad character. Some fantasy writers have developed the wolf’s personality in a more realistic way, using his intelligence and devotion to the pack for the benefit of the heroes in a story. George Martin’s “A Song of Ice and Fire” series features the Stark family, who use an image of a wolf in their family crest. When they adopt some wolf cubs, they learn that each child has a special link with and personality traits similar to a specific cub. In Jane Curry’s “The Wolves of Aam” the title characters are the heroes in the story, while Robert Jordan’s wolves in his “Wheel of Time” series adhere to a strict code of honour, and are also extremely intelligent. In Lloyd Alexander’s “The Chronicles of Prydain” Brynach and Briavel are wolves working for good – even liaising with human beings.

One of the most famous wolf legends is that of the twins, Romulus and Remus. They were cast into the wild at birth by their uncle, who proceeded to claim the throne for himself. After being suckled by a she-wolf the twins were raised by a peasant couple, Faustulus and Acca Larentia. Ultimately Romulus grew up, overthrew his uncle and founded Rome.

Wolves feature prominently in Nordic mythology. Whenever Odin, head of the gods, went into battle he was accompanied by Freki and Geri – two enormous wolves. The Nordic giantess Hyrrokin rides an enormous grey wolf. Norse mythology claims the sight of a wolf, when accompanied by a raven, means good fortune in battle; so “Wolfrafen” or “Wolfram” (meaning “wolf raven”) became a good name for a great and powerful warrior. Other popular Nordic names acknowledge the strength and power of the wolf, including Beowulf, Berthewolf, Ceowulf, Wulfstan and Wulfred.

The richest and greatest source of inspiration for wolf stories can be found in Native American folklore, because they have learned much from the wolf. During winter when Native Americans journeyed over frozen streams, rivers and lakes, they discovered the hard packed ice was less resistant than the snow covering the land. Observing their teacher the wolf they learned the best way to move through heavy snow was to travel in single file, saving time and energy by stepping in the same footprints. The Navajo people consider the wolf the leader of all hunting animals, while all Native American tribes consider the wolf a skilled, relentless and dependable creature, because wolves hunt in co-operative packs.

Zuni mythology tells of the common sacred spirit animals that guard the cardinal directions; the mountain lion protects the North, the badger the South, the bear guards the West and the wolf takes care of the East. The Nuu-chah-nulth, a tribe on the north western coast, honours the wolf and tells of a novel connection between the wolf and the killer whale. The story relates to the time a killer whale was beached on their shores. Upon its death its spirit transformed into a wolf… this is the rather romantic explanation for the wolf’s black and white markings – similar to the colours of the killer whale.

I conclude this newsletter with a legend featuring the patron saint of animals, Francis of Assisi. A wolf was threatening villagers living in Gubbio in Italy. Saint Francis intervened, and came to an arrangement with the wolf, whereby the villagers would feed the animal and let him wander through Gubbio without fear of retribution. In turn the wolf agreed not to harm anyone – man or animal – living in Gubbio. It is said that man sees his own bestial nature in the wolf, and that longing to control the beast within him is the reasoning behind this medieval legend. Because man and wolf share the same instincts for survival, the same bond with their fellowship and the same intelligence this example of compassion for the wolf shows a desire for self-forgiveness.