That way, when the wolf came, I'd stand a better chance of catching him. Week in and week out they'd raised the alarm, and one sable-black night I lay in ambush for those wolves against whom I'd failed to protect the flock. While the other dogs tore out ahead of me, I lay doggo behind a bush and watched two shepherds mark out one of the best lambs in the fold and kill it-and in such a way that in the morning, everyone would think the wolf had done it.
In "The Dialogue of the Dogs" by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, the protagonist reflects on his experiences guarding a flock of sheep. He describes how, despite the warnings from the other dogs about the danger of wolves, he feels compelled to prepare himself better for an encounter. His resolve leads him to lay in ambush, aiming to catch the predator that threatens the flock and redeem his previous failures in protecting them.
On a dark night, as the other dogs race ahead, he hides behind a bush and observes two shepherds secretly selecting a lamb to kill. His keen eye allows him to see the deception at play, as the shepherds aim to make it appear that a wolf was responsible for the lamb's death. This shows the complexity of the relationships and the darker motives within the world of the shepherds, highlighting themes of betrayal and the struggle for survival.
