I must tell you of another dog which showed not only affection for a
companion, but a wonderful amount of sense. He once broke his leg, in
which state he was found by a kind surgeon, who took him home, set his
leg, and after he had recovered allowed him to go away. The dog did not
forget the treatment he had received, nor the person from whom he had
received it.
Some months afterwards, he found another dog to whom the same accident
had happened. By the language which dogs employ, he told his friend all
about his own cure, and, assisting him along the road, led him, late at
night, to the surgeon's house. He there barked loudly at the door. No
one came, so he barked louder and louder. At last a window was opened,
and a person looked out, whom he at once recognised; and great was his
joy when the kind surgeon, coming downstairs, opened the door. Wagging
his tail, he made such signs as he was capable of using, to show what he
wanted. The surgeon soon saw what had happened to his old patient's
friend, whom he took in and treated in the same skilful way. His former
patient, satisfied that all was right, then ran off to attend to his
proper duties.
Let us, from this kind dog's behaviour, learn, whenever we receive a
benefit, to endeavour, if possible, to impart it to others, and not to
remain selfishly satisfied with the advantage we ourselves have gained.