One evening, as they sat by a fire on the shore over there, the Cree elder told the Abbot something that had happened to him when he was a child. His grandfather, the Chief at the time, told the boy that he had two wolves at war inside him, tearing at his insides. One of them, a grey wolf, wanted the old man to be strong and compassionate. Wise and courageous enough to be forgiving. The other, a black wolf, wanted him to be vengeful. To forget no wrong. To forgive no slight. To attack first. To be cruel and cunning and brutal to friends and enemies alike. To spare no one. Hearing this from his grandfather terrified the child. He ran away. It took a few days before he dared approach the old man again. When he did, he asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf will win, the grey or the black?’ His grandfather said, ‘The one that I feed.’ We all have them, inside. Best to acknowledge that. Only then can we choose which one we feed.
Order your copy of The Grey Wolf which pubs next week to figure out how this applies to the novel! Please feel free to leave your predictions below, but please no spoilers once you’ve read. THE WISDOM OF ARMAND GAMACHE : THE GREY WOLF
THE WISDOM OF ARMAND GAMACHE : THE GREY WOLF
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One evening, as they sat by a fire on the shore over there, the Cree elder told the Abbot something that had happened to him when he was a child. His grandfather, the Chief at the time, told the boy that he had two wolves at war inside him, tearing at his insides. One of them, a grey wolf, wanted the old man to be strong and compassionate. Wise and courageous enough to be forgiving. The other, a black wolf, wanted him to be vengeful. To forget no wrong. To forgive no slight. To attack first. To be cruel and cunning and brutal to friends and enemies alike. To spare no one. Hearing this from his grandfather terrified the child. He ran away. It took a few days before he dared approach the old man again. When he did, he asked his grandfather, ‘Which wolf will win, the grey or the black?’ His grandfather said, ‘The one that I feed.’ We all have them, inside. Best to acknowledge that. Only then can we choose which one we feed.
Order your copy of The Grey Wolf which pubs next week to figure out how this applies to the novel! Please feel free to leave your predictions below, but please no spoilers once you’ve read. 
16 replies on “THE WISDOM OF ARMAND GAMACHE : THE GREY WOLF”
I read the new book, The Grey Wolf, in 2 sittings over 2 days. It’s been a while since I finished the previous 18 books, and I didn’t bother to re-check, so I have one easy question: what species are Gamache’s 3 pets in this book? Clearly Henry is a dog, but what about Fred and Gracie? And for even more help: In which book did each pet first appear?
Thanks in advance for any help. If you reply, please send a copy directly to my email address, phopson727@ verizon.net.
SECOND REQUEST: where can I find a complete summary of this book? I’ve googled it several ways, but all I get is the boilerplate introduction of the book.
THIRD REQUEST: this last one seems unnecessary, but I want to be sure: the ending is clearly a cliff-hanger, right? And if so, it’s the only Gamache book I can recall that (thus far) has done that.
As with so many, I have just completed a full reread of the other 18 books. It is an amazing world to inhabit with all of you. I have read this reference in many other books – each time I read it I am reminded of how important attitude and the willingness to grow and think are woven into life. Asi sit at a particularly difficult time – despair is the theme I see in much – this makes me feel hopeful.
I say Amen to all the credits above Louise you give us such great stories and wisdom at the same time I always tell my fiends that your mystery stories are unique because of the wisdom and thought provoking ideas in them
This is such a powerful passage. It can be applied to so many complex issues in our lives. When we are stuck or being driven in one way, but we’re uncertain that that is the correct path to take, we need to recall this passage to set our forward in our intended direction.
Louise, you are blessed to have the world of Gamache and Three Pines alive and well in your mind. Thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us.
Wow! I cannot wait! I just finished re-reading World of Curiosities and the previous 17 books to that!! I am ready. So love your writing!!
I also have reread the series in anticipation of this event. I’m becoming more and more obcessed with life in Three Pines! It’s better than the news on t.v.!
I read this quote often in different settings. Most recently in Michael Cravens book The Puppet Master. The wisdom and teachings of indigenous peoples must never be lost.
I love the way, when you look back, you can read Louise laying a breadcrumb trail for future books.
Not long now…….
Oh my goodness. Your words are beautiful!! Describing each of us as we ponder our life’s path but, your words are connecting us to our indigenous family. This is a truly favorite quote and I haven’t even read the book YET. THANK YOU LOUISE PENNY!!
I love your stories. I cant wait to get this next book!.❤
I just read this story yesterday at the end of The Beautiful Mystery (which I reread and enjoyed even more the second time.) attributed to the Montagnais not the Crees. I thought that it might have something to do with The Grey Wolf! Looking forward to the new one!
looking forward to it
I have chills…… cannot wait to read this book!
I’m thinking you should do your own readings for the audio books.
P.S. I cannot wait to read this latest book. Thank you for writing it. 🙂
I.CANNOT.WAIT
I had read this story years ago & it stayed with me…so simple but so powerful.