(Adapted)
“Where are you going in such haste, friend?” said Trusty, the
shepherd’s Dog, to a great wolf that was jogging along the same road.
“If I were sure you would not betray my secret,” said the Wolf, with a
sly leer, “I would let you know.”
“You need not fear me; I shall tell no one a word of the matter,” said
Trusty.
“Well, then,” said the Wolf, “you must know, as I was prowling around
yonder cottage I saw the farmer’s wife put a fine baby into the cradle,
and heard her say: ‘Lie still, my darling, and go to sleep, while I run
down to the village to buy bread for your father’s supper.’ As soon as
the babe is asleep I shall go and fetch it: it is fair and fat, and
will make a nice supper for me and my cubs.”
“Then,” said Trusty, “I would advise you to wait a little longer, for I
saw the baby’s mother step into the next house to speak to a neighbor:
take care lest you are seen.”
[Illustration]
The Wolf thanked the Dog for his good advice, for he did not know that
the baby belonged to Trusty’s master; and he said he would take heed
and keep close.
Then Trusty ran home with all the speed he could. The door was ajar,
and the innocent baby was fast asleep in the cradle; so he lay down
on the mat behind the door and listened for the coming of the Wolf.
It was not long before he heard the tread of the Wolf’s feet on the
gravel path, and in another minute the savage beast was in the room
and stealing with cautious steps to the cradle; but just as he was
preparing to seize the poor baby Trusty sprang upon him and after a
fierce struggle laid him dead on the floor.
The first thing the mother saw on her return was the Wolf dead at the
foot of the cradle, while the baby, unhurt, lay soundly sleeping on his
little pillow, and faithful Trusty watching beside him. She flew to
look the little one all over, to make sure that he was safe and sound,
and then, oh! how she patted and fondled the good Dog who had saved her
darling’s life! She called in all the neighbors, and told them what
Trusty had done, and from that time he became the pet of the whole
village, and all the mothers wished they had such a dog to watch over
their children.