Dating : THE PETIT DOG

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a city far to the East. In the center of this city was a large market. One day a month, this market was dedicated to the sale of dogs.

Merchants came from all over the world, sometimes from far away, bringing with them dogs of all kinds, breeds, and colors. Some were big, some small, some very big, some thin. Some were beautiful, some not very beautiful, some not beautiful at all. Some barked very sharply, others very seriously. Some seemed kind, affectionate, some seemed mean or aggressive. And amateurs came from all over to buy these dogs.

At the same time, in this city there lived a very poor old man. A beggar. He had always dreamed of having a dog of his own. He often stopped at the market and looked at them all with envy, but they were far too expensive. He could never have bought one of those proud pedigree dogs.

One day he had been hanging around the market square for hours, he saw a merchant who was still lingering at the end of the day, counting his takings. He only had one dog left.

-You’re not selling this one? -asked the beggar.

-No,” answered the merchant. Nobody wants it. I’ll never be able to sell him or get rid of him.

-Why not?” said the old man.

-simply because this dog smells. He even smells very bad. Smells like a sewer, a garbage can. Yet I tried everything. I’ve plunged him into baths of perfumed water. I’ve washed him, brushed him, combed him… There was no way to get rid of the smell.

-You’re selling him for a lot of money? -No.

-Oh no,” answered the merchant. We can take it away for a few pennies. But who would want it?

-I have a few pennies in my pocket,” said the hopeful beggar. Will it be enough?

The merchant took the few coins.

-The dog is yours.

The old man left the market with the little dog in his arms. He smelled really bad, but he had such beautiful eyes, so sweet, so tender.

They followed a beautiful avenue that led outside the city walls. The most beautiful palaces stood on either side of this road.

-You know, little dog (he hadn’t chosen a name for it yet) you know, little dog, I won’t be able to give you a good meal as those who live in these rich mansions get. I’m just a poor beggar, look.

He took a crust of bread out of his pocket.

-We’ll share it between us, half for you, half for me. But take it easy, you know, because that’s all you’ll get.

Then he added:

-You should also know, little dog, that you won’t be living in a beautiful house or palace like the ones we’re passing. I don’t even own a hut. We will sleep there, under the tree, near the bridge.

The old man slept in a ditch full of tall grass. Despite the smell, he hugged his little companion, his friend.

Suddenly, a violent thunderstorm broke out. Lightning illuminated the black sky. Suddenly, lightning struck the tree where the beggar and his dog were trying to sleep. They stood up, stunned by the violence of the burst.

Then the storm moved away as fast as it had come.

The old man saw some people dressed as servants running towards him.

-Master, master, don’t just stand there in the storm. You’re all wet. You’ll catch a cold. Why don’t you come home and warm yourself?

They led our friend and his little dog to the most beautiful palace in town. All in pink and white marble. It was fully illuminated and the light reflected off the plants in a lush garden. The servants took the old man, despite himself, into the sumptuous entrance hall.

-We’re going to give you a hot bath, master, it’ll do you good. -You’ll feel better. Then your supper is waiting for you.

The beggar found himself in a golden bathtub. Some young helpers poured perfumed water on him and dressed him like a prince.

Then he went to the dining room table, which was covered with the best food there was. He sat down and ate as much as he could. Of course, he shared the best bits with his little dog.

Then the servants offered him to retire to a room so beautiful he could never have imagined. The old beggar was astonished by all these events and fell asleep in a sumptuous bed as he had never had before.

-When the master of the house returns,” he thought, “he will throw me out, but at least I shall have enjoyed a few hours of these delightful moments.

The next day, when he awoke, he first thought he had dreamed. But it wasn’t a dream. The servants were still there. They were making him the best breakfast. They asked him what he wanted to do with his day.

He discovered the beautiful palace and its wonderful gardens in the company of his little dog who seemed happy to run among the flowers.

Suddenly, a carriage stopped in front of the palace door. Someone got out. The old man walked towards it in anguish and recognized the king of the country.

-Hello,” said the king. I often pass by this boulevard. I meet many of my acquaintances there. I had not yet noticed your house. What a pleasure to make your acquaintance, dear friend. I can call you dear friend, can’t I? That’s what I call all the rich people in town.

-Would you like to come in? -Submitted the beggar.

-It would be a pleasure. I’ll come tonight, accompanied by some ministers, bankers, and other personalities. If you want us at your table…

-Good idea stuttered the old beggar. Come, I’ll wait for you here at my house tonight, with your colleagues.

-See you later, my dear friend.

The King’s carriage left.

The beggar returned to his palace. He called his servants and explained to them the invitation to the king and his advisers for dinner tonight. He was very worried, but his servants reassured him.

-No problem, master, we will take care of everything. You will attend the most refined feast. We’ll decorate the feast room tastefully, and choose the most exquisite foods.

Just before the king arrives, the old man puts on his best clothes. His servants presented him with a sumptuous table, gold crockery, crystal cups, perfectly prepared food, carefully chosen, and harmoniously presented on gold and silver platters.

He said to himself that his little dog still smelled very bad. Now that he was seeing the king, his ministers, and rich people of high society, it was time to get rid of this stinking little dog. This animal was suitable as a companion for a beggar, a ragged man, but not for the rich man he had become.

He took him down into the cellars of the palace and locked him up in a dark room, with no windows, no way out except through the thick front door, which he closed himself by pushing three enormous iron locks. He forbade everyone to open it.

Reassured, the former beggar went back to his living rooms.

The king had just arrived. He greeted him in the banquet hall. Everyone sat down and ate. During the meal, the ministers flattered him, the bankers smiled at him, and the monarch’s relatives called themselves his friends.

-Your meal was succulent,” said the king, at the end of dinner. Your wonderful palace, your attentive servants, but what a dreadful smell under the table, at our feet, all of a sudden. I wonder where it comes from.

Our friend raised the tablecloth and saw his little dog.

-Excuse me, sir, excuse me. -Excuse me. I don’t know this filthy beast. I wonder how he got into my palace. I’ll eliminate him.

The beggar grabbed the little animal ruthlessly by the scruff of the neck and went down to the cellar. The three locks were still closed. He slid them down. He opened the door and looked inside the prison. Empty. Empty.

-You, beast, I’ll settle your account when the king’s gone. -You, beast, I’ll settle your account when the king’s gone.

He closed the cellar door and carefully pushed the three locks. The rest of the meal went very well.

Around midnight the king and his friends left the old man, thanked him for his delicious feast, for his hospitality, and returned home in their carriage, promising to invite him soon.

– “By the way,” added the king, with his arm on the old beggar’s shoulder, “I need a new minister and adviser. Let’s talk about it again tomorrow, at my house, dear friend.

The old man dismissed all his servants.

When he was sure he was alone, he went to the kitchen and picked out a long, sharp knife. Then he went down to the cellar. He pushed the three locks, opened the door, and took his little dog under his arm. He walked out of the palace. He walked through the gardens. He put the little animal on the ground in a corner, near the hedges. He held it firmly in one hand, and with the other, he squeezed the knife.

-You dare disturb me during my feast with the king! -You dare disturb me! He’s going to make me a minister tomorrow. I’m an important and wealthy gentleman now. I was ashamed to introduce a friend like you. What will people think of me? I don’t want the company of a stinking dog like you anymore. You’re going to die. I’m going to slit your throat.

The old beggar raised his gun.

Just then, a bolt of lightning tore through the black sky. The lightning fell on the knife and the old man, who rolled to the ground, stunned. He found himself under the tree by the bridge, covered with his old torn clothes, and saw his little dog run towards him. He jumped into his arms.

The storm was moving away. The beggar looked towards the place where the palace was, the beautiful clothes, the good food, all the riches, and the servants. All he saw was a wasteland, covered with weeds and mud puddles.

Then the old man understood that everything came from his little dog, magic, wonderful little dog. And he, the beggar, had not been faithful to his friend. He had chased him away from his table. He had locked him in the basement. He tried to kill him because he was ashamed of his lousy companion now that he was with the rich.

The little dog never gave him presents again. Never again were there no kings, courtiers, or bankers. That magic was extinguished. But the old beggar always remained faithful to his little dog. He never left him again. He always shared with him what little he received.

Often, when he met someone and was asked why he was keeping that smelly little dog, he answered that friendship was very important and that one should never, ever be ashamed of one’s friends, whoever they were.