A Night With a Wolf
By Bayard Taylor
Little one, come to my knee!
Hark, how the rain is pouring
Over the roof, in the pitch-black night,
And the wind in the woods a-roaring!
Hush, my darling, and listen,
Then pay for the story with kisses;
Father was lost in the pitch-black night
In just such a storm as this is!
High up on the lonely mountain,
Where the wild men watched and waited;
Wolves in the forest, and bears in the bush,
And I on my path belated.
The rain and the night together
Came down, and the wind came after,
Bending the props of the pine-tree roof
And snapping many a rafter.
I crept along in the darkness,
Stunned, and bruised, and blinded …
Crept to a fir with thick-set boughs,
And a sheltering rock behind it.
There, from the blowing and raining,
Crouching, I sought to hide me:
Something rustled, two green eyes shone—
And a wolf lay down beside me!
Little one, be not frightened;
Mother would guard you through storm and night;
Love will shelter you, darling,
And make all things right.
Introduction to the Poet: Bayard Taylor
Bayard Taylor (1825–1878) was an American poet, writer, and traveler. He loved exploring different parts of the world and often wrote about his adventures. His poems are known for their beautiful descriptions of nature and exciting stories. Taylor’s writing helped readers imagine faraway places and understand the wonders of the natural world.
About the Poem: “A Night With a Wolf”
This poem tells the thrilling story of a traveler lost in a dark, stormy night on a lonely mountain. He finds shelter under a tree, only to discover a wolf beside him! Instead of attacking, the wolf stays close, showing that sometimes, nature can be both wild and kind. The poem teaches us about courage, trust, and the unexpected friendships that can form in nature.
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