[This unabridged translation of the Mr. Dong Guo and Wolf fable was dated to be in the Spring and Autumn Period of the Chinese History (770 BC - 476 BC]
Zhao Jianzi undertook a massive hunting expedition in Zhong Mountain. The official of the mountain led the way, hawks and hounds were at the back. Inumerous agile birds and ferocious beasts fell at the sound of arrows.
There was a wolf on the road, standing like a man and howling. Jianzhi spat into his hands and jumped to cart, picking up a grand bow to fire off a splendid arrow. The arrow went in deep to the wolf, up to the feathers; the wolf escaped howling. Jianzhi was angry, driving the cart forward to catch the wolf. Dust clouds rose up in the air amid thundering hooves of the horses. Nothing can be seen within ten steps of the cart.
Mr. Dong Guo, a Mohist scholar, happened to be traveling north to the Zhong Mountain area to seek a government post. In the early morning, he was leading a crippled donkey carrying bags filled with books, and lost his way. He was quite afraid when he saw the dust clouds and the commotion. The wolf suddenly came up and stretched out his head, looked at him and said, “Sir, you certainly have the desire to help and save living creatures, I am sure. You are certainly aware of the legend of Mao Bao. He released a white turtle to the river, and he was saved by the same white turtle years later, when Mao Bao was defeated by his adversaries and needed to cross the river to safety. Surely you remember that the Nobleman Sui healed a big snake and received a precious pearl from that snake later on. The turtle and snake certainly has no more intelligence than I, a wolf. Under the circumstances, why not let me quickly hide in your bag. so that I might stay there and remain alive? If I were to survive this difficult time, it is as if you were to pull me away from death and grow flesh from my dry bones. I would surely emulate the deeds of the turtle and the snake, and pay you a large tribute.”
Mr. Dong Guo said, "Hiding you definitely will offend the noblemen; this goes against the powerful, and this will bring me serious trouble. I dare not expect anything from you in return. However, Mohists believe in universal love, so I must help you get through this, even if there is risk in doing so. In any case, I have no intention of avoiding this.” He then took the books out of the bag and emptied it slowly to allow the wolf to get in. Afraid of stepping on his chin at the front, and pressing down his tail at the other end, the wolf did not succeed, even after a few attempts. Slowly, the pursuing entourage grew closer.
The wolf pleaded, "This is quite urgent! Sir, you don’t really want to take time and care to put out a fire or to save a drowning man. This is like ringing a bell to avoid thieves. Please act quickly." The wolf curled up his limbs, and gave a rope to Mr. Dong Guo to tie the bag. He bowed his head to meet his tail, arching back to bury his chin. Like a curled-up hedgehog, like a moth pupa curled up in the cocoon, like a coiled snake, like a turtle holding its breath, the wolf was at Mr. Dong Guo’s disposal. Mr. Dong Guo followed the instructions, put the wolf in the bag, then sealed the bag tightly. After putting the bag over the donkey’s back and retreating to the roadside, Mr. Dong Guo waited for Zhao Jianzi’s expedition to pass.
