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Long ago, there was a man by the name of Thomas who lived by himself in the city. He was a writer who needed quiet and privacy. Every day he would complain to himself about being around many loud, annoying people. He desperately wanted to live somewhere away from people, so finally he decided to move. He found a home out in the country where the closest person was miles away. "This is the perfect home for me! I can now write in peace!" he exclaimed.
Everything seemed to be going great, except he had a huge flea and gnat problem. They were everywhere, making noise and making him itch throughout the days and nights. He tried different types of insect spray to rid his home of the pests, but nothing seemed to be working.
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"So, wait. This was a bad idea. He traded one problem with annoying people, for the same problem with loud bugs? I would choose people any day." Joseph said. "Well, yes, the grass isn't always greener on the other side, right?" said Mother.
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One night after dinner, Thomas tried to continue his writing, but he was constantly distracted by the gnats and fleas. He was out of ideas for the problem, and he wondered if he should move back to the city. Suddenly, an army flooded into his house! Not the typical type of army you're imagining. The knights were two inches tall. They had horses the size of grasshoppers and falcons the size of flies. The little army destroyed the fleas and gnats, and they had tiny hunting dogs that would kill and then eat their remains. Thomas was amazed at what he was seeing! He wanted to keep the hunting dogs for the future when more bugs would enter his home. He wondered how reasonable they would be with him about keeping the dogs.
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"I want a tiny hunting dog, Mom! We need one. Or maybe just any dog. Can we get one?" asked Emily. "No, dear. It's just a story. We will talk about it another time. Now listen to the rest," said Mother.
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"Um, Mr. King, your majesty. I want to thank you and your army! You have saved me a lot of trouble by ridding me of the nasty vermin taking over my home. May I have a hunting dog? I will certainly pay you for it." said Thomas. The King acted as if he didn't hear a word he had said. The army began to leave the house. Thomas was upset that he wouldn't be able to own one of the hunting dogs.
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"He's upset just like me. Everyone needs a dog. It's not fair." cried Emily.
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He sat on his bed for a moment, when a tiny dog jumped into his hand. "Oh my! You stayed here little guy?" he said.
And his little dog stayed with him from then on. He took care of all the fleas and gnats and kept him good company. They were the best of friends.
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"The end, and goodnight kids." said mother, as she turned out the lights.
Man's Best Friend
Source: Pixabay
Bibliography: The Little Hunting Dog from The Chinese Fairy Book by R.Wilhelm and translated by Frederick H. Martens
Author's Note: I kept this story relatively similar to the original, but in my version the storyteller was a mother who was telling a bedtime story to her two kids. In the original, a scholar moves away from people for a more quiet lifestyle. He had trouble sleeping because of fleas and gnats. One day some very small knights, horses, falcons, and hunting dogs come into his home to take care of his insect problem. When they leave, a small hunting dog gets left behind. He takes the dog and places it in a small box to examine it. Every time the scholar goes to bed, the dog follows to take care of any bugs. One day, when he takes a nap, he accidentally crushes the dog and finds it as flat as a piece of paper. I changed the ending in my story to the man keeping the dog and them becoming lifelong companions. I also changed minor details about what happens when the small army enters his home.
Hi McKenna!
ReplyDeleteI really like the changes you made to turn this into a bedtime story! The interjections by the kids were cute and convincing, and I laughed when the little girl told her mom that Thomas was upset because he needed a dog. I think that changing the ending the way you did was perfectly kid-appropriate, as the original might not have been the best story to tell kids before bed! Also, I like that you put little dashes between the kids' dialogue and the story. That made it easy to read and to understand who was speaking and when. Great job!
Hey, McKenna, I liked the modern twist you used in your storytelling. Thomas and I have some things in common - being the angsty, complaining writer that I am, haha. I also liked that you made your story into a bedtime story - the way the kids interject to ask questions about getting a dog is adorable and makes the story come to life. I too want a tiny hunting dog, it would definitely be a change from my big ole 80lb Great Pyrenees/ Bernese Mountain Dog mix, Earl. Well done!
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