Virtue
A Mobile Flash Fiction
By: Saran Ra
On a solitary path, the barking and commotion of dogs grab my attention.
I see a group of five or six dogs surrounding another dog that is trapped in mud. They are biting and clawing at it. The lone dog is helpless, and it seems like the others are trying to take its life.
I pick up a stick and drive the other dogs away. The trapped dog is injured, with blood dripping from some parts of its body. It can't free itself from the mud, so I pull it out.
After doing this, I continue on my way. The dog, with a look of gratitude, follows me for a while. The other dogs had already fled. Once it feels safe, the dog wags its tail in gratitude and heads on its way.
Sometimes, when I walk that path, the dog recognizes me and rushes over, wagging its tail and curling up near me in devotion, expressing its gratitude.
One evening, I had to travel to the neighboring village via the same path. Two miles of the route passed through a dense and dangerous forest inhabited by wild animals like tigers, bears, jackals, and wolves.
I was alone and afraid, but I had to go. Near the edge of the forest, I encountered the same dog. It started following me. I tried to chase it away, but it refused to leave. Instead, it accompanied me through the forest until I safely reached the other side.
I was relieved and happy to have crossed the forest unscathed. I wanted to take the dog with me, but as soon as we were out of the forest, it barked once, as if to bid me goodbye with gratitude, and dashed back into the forest path.
I stood there, watching it run away, unable to do anything.
Two days later, I was returning with friends after finishing my work in the neighboring village. In the middle of the forest, a terrible stench stopped us. Looking around, I saw what caused it—the decomposing remains of the poor dog. It had been killed and eaten by wild animals.
Yes, virtue happens only once.
That unfortunate dog repaid the small act of kindness I had shown it by giving its life.