“what shall i do,” said a very little dog one day to his mother, “to show my gratitude to our good master? i cannot draw, or carry burthens for him like the horse; nor give him milk like the cow; nor lend him my covering for his clothing, like the sheep; nor produce him eggs like the poultry; nor catch rats and mice as well as the cat.
“i cannot divert him with singing like the linnets and canaries; nor can i defend him against robbers like the great dog towzer. i should not be fit to be eaten, even if i were dead, as the hogs are. i am a poor insignificant creature, not worth the cost of keeping; i don’t see that i can do a single thing to entitle me to my master’s regard.” so saying the poor little dog hung down his head.
“my dear child,” replied his mother, “though your abilities are but small, your good will entitles you to regard. love your master dearly, and show him that you love him, and you will not fail to please him.”
[52]
the little dog was comforted, and the next time he saw his master, ran to him, licked his feet, gamboled before him, and every now and then stopped, wagging his tail, and looking at him in the most affectionate manner. the master observed him.
“ha! little fido,” said he, “you are an honest, good-natured little fellow!”—and stooped down to pat his head. poor fido was ready to go out of his wits with joy.
fido was now his master’s companion in his walks, playing and skipping round him, and amusing him by a thousand sportive tricks. he took care not to be troublesome by leaping on him with dirty paws, nor would he follow him into the parlor unless invited. he also attempted to make himself useful by a number of little services. he would drive away the sparrows, as they were stealing the chickens’ meat; and would run and bark with the utmost fury at the strange pigs, and other animals, which offered to come into the yard.
he kept the poultry and pigs from straying, and particularly from doing mischief in the garden. if his master pulled off his coat in the field to help his work-men, fido always sat by it, and would not suffer either man or beast to touch it; for this faithful care of his master’s property, he was esteemed very much.
he was soon able to render a more important service.[53] one hot day after dinner, his master was sleeping in a summer house, with fido by his side; the building was old, and the watchful dog perceived the walls shake, and the pieces of mortar fall from the ceiling.
he saw the danger, and began barking, to awake his master; this was not sufficient, so he jumped up and bit his finger. the master upon this started up, and had just time to get out of the door, before the whole building fell.
fido, who was behind, got hurt by some rubbish which fell upon him; on which his master had him taken care of, with the utmost tenderness, and ever after acknowledged the little animal as the preserver of his life. thus his love and fidelity had their reward.
