The General, the Shepherd, and the 3 Pounds of Greed

Greed—a timeless flaw embedded in human nature—has the power to compel individuals to act against their values and instincts, especially when the promise of wealth beckons. This captivating tale from 1917 highlights how greed can shape decisions and expose vulnerabilities, revealing the deeper dynamics at play in society.

In 1917, during his service in an Arab region, English General Stanley Maude encountered a shepherd tending to his flock alongside a loyal dog. Through an interpreter, the general relayed an unusual request to the shepherd:

“The general will reward you with a pound for slaughtering your dog.”

The dog, a steadfast guardian of the flock, served as the shepherd’s most trusted companion. It defended the sheep from wolves, assisted in herding, and alerted its master to impending dangers. Yet, the promise of a pound—a sum large enough to buy half of the shepherd’s herd—was too enticing to ignore. Reluctantly, the shepherd took his dog and slaughtered it before the general.

The interpreter then conveyed a second request: the general would offer an additional pound if the shepherd skinned the dog. Driven by the lure of another pound, the shepherd complied without hesitation.

Finally, the interpreter posed yet another challenge: an additional pound for cutting the dog into pieces. The shepherd, now fully committed, completed the gruesome task and was handed a third pound.

As the general turned to leave, the shepherd hurried after him, shouting:

“Will you give me another pound if I eat it?”

He then addressed his soldiers, remarking that such attitudes would ensure minimal resistance to their objectives in the region.

This harrowing account is more than a historical anecdote; it is a stark reminder of a universal truth. Across all societies, there are individuals willing to compromise deeply held values for financial gain—a reality that those in power often exploit to assert control over citizens and nations.

This story is inspired by an excerpt from Hayder al-Khoei and Ali al-Wardi’s book, “Social Glimpses of Modern Iraqi History” (2010).