Back in medieval times, most of the northern parts of Europe, and big swaths of the British Isles, were covered with dense forest. So close encounters with wolves were quite common. Packs of wolves could—and did—attack grazing livestock, and sometimes people. As a result, they were greatly feared.

A medieval bestiary has this advice if a wolf should surprise a person unexpectedly, and it has some real modern-day applications. Stay with me, here.

First off, should you see a wolf, you will most probably be rendered mute—that is, you’ll lose the power to cry for help. So what you’re supposed to do is, take off all your clothes immediately. Throw them onto the ground and stomp on them. Then find two stones and clomp them together. Your speech will be restored. It’s unclear what happens next, vis a vis the wolf. But at least your speech has been restored.

Today, wolves are, sadly, a threatened species in parts of the world. So chances are you don’t have to worry about coming across one near you. So how is this advice relevant for you? Why, think about it. Next time you have to deliver a presentation at school, and are worried about forgetting your lines, simply take off all your clothes and stomp on them. Then deliver your speech. The words will pour forth with no effort whatsoever.

You’re welcome.

http://britishlibrary.typepad.co.uk/digitisedmanuscripts/2013/02/naked-came-the-werewolf.html