The Wise Old Dog

Northern Advocate, 26 January 1939, Page 9

The Wise Old Dog

There is a true story of ,a wise old dog living at a country house who, like all wise dogs, made friends with the cook. The wood stack was some distance from the house, and when kindling wood was wanted the cook would tell the dog to fetch some sticks. He knew quite well what she meant, ,and used to trot off to the woodyard and bring back a stick at a time. One day he was sent off on his errand, and came back with ,a wagging tail and an empty mouth. Cook sent him again, and yet again, but each time he came back empty mouthed, wagging his tail apologetically. Cook was first puzzled, and then angry, and calling the dog ugly names, drove him off on the same errand, determined that he should carry out her orders. Once more the old dog trotted away, and in a few minutes ‘he came back with the hatchet dragging on the ground beside him. When he reached the house he dropped the hatchet before cook, as if to say: “There’s no wood cut, and if you want any you must go and cut it!”