When Francis arrived in the city of Gubbio, he found its people gripped by fear of a fierce wolf that attacked both animals and people. The terror was so great that no one dared leave the city without weapons. Moved by compassion for the townspeople and trusting fully in God, Francis decided to go out and meet the beast. 

Accompanied by a few brothers, he went to where the wolf was. When the animal ran toward him baring its teeth, Francis made the sign of the cross over it and spoke to it calmly, calling it "brother wolf." According to the Little Flowers, the wolf immediately stopped and listened to the saint's words. Francis explained that its attacks had caused great suffering and proposed that it make peace with the townspeople. 

The wolf symbolically accepted the agreement by placing one of its paws in Francis's hand. The townspeople then promised to feed and care for it, while the animal stopped attacking people and animals. For years it lived peacefully alongside the people of Gubbio. Beyond the legendary nature of the story, it conveys a central teaching of Franciscan spirituality: peace, dialogue, and respect can overcome fear, violence, and hostility.