A Poor Stray Dog
By G Myburgh – age 8
There was once a pregnant dog. Her babies were about to be born. They arrived into the world one cold frosty night. The tiny puppies were all different sizes. When their eyes were open the mother went off to get things for her pups.
Now it happened that a viper bit the mother dog. With a last groan she fell to the ground. The puppies waited and waited. They were all hungry and thirsty. No mother came. Then the biggest puppy said “we must all get out of this dark, horrible forest”.
The smallest puppy was the adventurous one. So the small puppy ran off by himself. He walked and walked until he was tired out. The little dog curled himself up and dreamt of big bones and other nice things. The poor little dog was awakened by a dripping sound. It sounded like water. “Good” said the little dog to himself so he got up and walked on. He came to a wide river. There was a very very strong current and jagged rocks in the middle. The little dog flopped down and drank the cold and fresh water. Suddenly he saw a large fish. The little dog did not think but jumped at it. There was a splash as he touched the surface. The poor little dog was dragged through the water at a terrible speed. Suddenly he was thrown against the huge jagged rocks. That made him unconscious.
When he awakened he had a very sore head. The children were bending over the little puppy. They were making a fuss around him. The boy said sadly “we will not be able to keep him you know”. “Why not” interrupted the girl. “Because of our horrible stepfather. You know he hates dogs”. The girl said in a low voice “I have got it all plan…” “Go on” interrupted the boy. “We will run away” explained Jane. “Golly, why did I not think of that” shouted Philip. “I will go and hide this poor puppy in a barn”. So off he went and hid the puppy in a barn at the back of the garden while Jane was putting some food into a paper bag. When midnight came the two children crept down the stairs and out of the kitchen window. They ran to the barn and Philip took hold of the puppy. He carried the dog into the forest.
The children walked for hours on end. Suddenly a boom slang landed on Philip’s head. Suddenly the little puppy jumped at the big snake and bit his puppy teeth deep into its neck. The snake fell to the ground. The snake was dead.
In great relief they continued their walk through the forest. Philip picked the little dog up in his arms and stroked his soft and silky ears. The children walked on for two hours. The suddenly stopped for they heard foot steps. “Come on” said Philip in a low voice “hide behind that bush”. So Jane hid herself behind the bush while Philip climbed into a hollow tree trunk.
The men were policemen who probably come to look for the missing children. The children did not know it but they had forgotten to hide the puppy. Luckily the puppy did not make a noise and the men went on their way. Out of breath the children got out of their hiding places not knowing that a policeman was watching from behind a bush. It was not pleasant when the policeman jumped at Philip. The children turned and fled. Philip suddenly tripped over a root and fell flat onto his face. He just managed to drag himself behind a rock. Jane had the small puppy. She ran past the rock. Philip stopped Jane and so Jane and the dog hid with Philip. The policeman went right past the rock and disappeared behind some trees.
The children walked on for 5 hours. They suddenly came to a farm. “We can get some food here” said Jane. So the children went to find some food to eat. All of a sudden two men jumped onto the children. They were taken to a little barn and locked up. The little puppy was with the children. Next morning the children were taken to a little orphanage on top of the hill by coach.
They were greeted by a kind looking lady. The two children went into the big house. A basket was put into the children’s room for the puppy. Philip and Jane made friends with the boys and girls in no time. Three days after that the maid explained that a man and a lady were going to choose a son and daughter and that they all had to put on their best clothes. At 3 o’clock the bell rang and a man came in followed by a lady. They looked at all the children and guess who they chose – Jane and Philip.
The children got into a coach with the man and the lady. They soon knew each other and talked all the way home. Philip had told the man about the puppy. He agreed that the puppy could be a member of the family. When they reached the house that was going to be theirs, they saw it had a huge garden with a fishpond in one corner. There was a kennel next to the kitchen door. The puppy trotted to the kennel. He suddenly widdled all over the floor with joy for he saw his brothers and sisters. “How did you get here?” barked the puppy. “The people found us in the wood and gave us a home” said the other pups.
The children and the puppies are very lucky that they have found such a nice home, aren’t they? I wonder what mischief they will get into next.
THE END
