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Greg's story

jadams2k18Posted for Everyone to comment on, 5 years ago10 min read

Matthew was 8 years old when he met Greg. The boy played in the garden in front of his house when a small stray dog stopped in front of him. The dog was skinny and looked tired. Matthew took a cookie out of his pocket and offered it to him

— Hello! You want a cookie — he asked

The dog approached waving his tail and took the biscuit, which swallowed quickly. The excited boy knelt in front of the dog and stroked it. The puppy corresponded his generosity licking his face. The boy laughed and stared at him

— I will call you Yellow

— Come! Let's get inside, there's more food in the kitchen.

Matthew ran into the house and the dog followed him. While the child was feeding the dog, the mother came in and saw the dog.

— Mom! Don't get mad!

— It's just a little stray dog I found, can I keep it?

Yellow looked at Matthew's mother and waved his tail.

Helen worried about the animal, said:

— Let's take it to the vet first to have it checked and then we'll talk.

After being seen by the veterinarian and having administered the vaccines and prescribed vitamins, Helen decided to make a deal with Matthew

— If you make yourself responsible for feeding, bathing and giving vitamins to Yellow, you can keep it

— YAY! — Matthew shouted.

So the days went by and Matthew, after school, spent his time taking care of and feeding a small dog. Yellow learned very quickly the tricks that Matthew taught him

— Look, Mom! Sit Yellow! — Matthew shouted and Yellow sat

— Roll over! — and the little dog rolled over

— Play dead — and Yellow fell flat on his back, paws up, sticking out his tongue.

— Wow! I see that both of you have been working together — exclaimed the mother.

Both of them were inseparable.

One afternoon, Matthew was doing his math homework and Yellow was resting on Matthew's bed.

— Really, I don't know why people invented mathematics! — The boy said to the dog.

— 5 by 3 is 12, right? — He remained doubtful of his response.

— Actually, the result is 15, you just have to add 5 plus 5 plus 5, three times — Yellow answered in a British accent

Matthew was surprised to see that Yellow was talking and then with a smile he answered

— WOOOOOW! Awesome! You can talk!

Matthew was fascinated that like his favorite cartoon characters, his pet could also talk.

— Goodness! You must promise me, you will never tell anyone that I can talk — pleaded Yellow

— And by the way, my name is Greg — he added

— I knew you were special! But, I'll definitely keep calling you Yellow — Matt answered

Greg agreed

Greg explained to Matt that he hadn't always been a dog; previously he was a knight, long time ago, who on his long journeys fought a witch. She used a strange alchemy spell, condemned him to be a dog for all eternity until a selfless action made for a loved one would make me human again.

Matt was saddened by Greg's story

— Don't be sad — he added

— I've become accustomed to being a dog — he paused and then continued — also, for the first time, I've found a good place to stay.

Matt was thinking of Greg's story for a while. Finally, Matt replied:

— Tomorrow I'll take you to school with me!

— What are you up to? — Greg asked.

— You'll see

The next day Matt hid Greg in his backpack and took the school bus. Upon arriving at school, Matt placed his backpack on the shelf where everyone kept their school supplies. He opened the zipper and said in a low voice

— Stay here; when I get back, I want to introduce you a good friend of mine

Greg was going to protest but was interrupted by the sound of the school bell, indicating that classes had begun. Matt left quickly, not without mentioning that he would return at recess time.

Greg took the opportunity to stretch his legs, managed to open the zipper from the inside. He wandered throughout the school area, hiding from the eyes of other children and teachers.

At recess time, Matt ran in search of Greg, next to a girl.

— Come, Jessica! I want to introduce you to my friend Yellow

Matt went to his locker and unzipped his backpack

The girl poked her head behind Matt to see the contents of his backpack. But she was confused to see that it was empty.

— Wow! Yellow is really beautiful! — Jessica yelled ironically

— Yellow is not imaginary — answered Matt — He must have left my backpack.

Suddenly he heard a voice that made his hair stand on end

— Matt, Matt, Matt. You better have brought money, if you haven’t, you’ll already know what's gonna happen

Nelson was the strongest kid in the classroom. All the children that were around fled in terror when they heard Nelson’s voice.

Jessica stuck to the wall, scared. Matt swallowed. Greg watched from behind a garbage can, hidden. Seeing Nelson take Matt by the neck, Greg shouted in a deep voice

—Mr. Nelson, you'd better be going to the principal's office now!

Nelson, frightened, released Matt. He turned around and did not see anyone.

— Immediately! Greg screamed again

Surprised, Nelson ran out in the direction of the director's office.

Matt sighed in relief. Jessica, still confused, did n't say anything.

— Saved by my pet! Thanks, Yellow

Greg jumped into Matt's arms

— Jess, I want you to meet my friend Yellow

— Actually, my name is Greg. Goodness! I did it again ... — Greg answered repentant

— You can really talk! — Jessica said surprised

— All dogs can talk? — Jessica asked

— I don't think so, but once upon a time I met a wolf which could talk, but it's a long story.

Matt interrupted the talk to tell Greg that Jess's dad was a scientist and he could help him become human again.

Greg got angry and refused to talk to adults. Greg had had bad experiences with humans who wanted to use him as a guinea pig, long before he met Matt.

Greg got out of Matt's hands and ran out of school without looking back and paying no attention to Matt's screams.

Matt decided to go after Greg.

— I have to go find him – he replied

Jessica stopped Matt and warned him that he would get into trouble if he left school, but Matt paid no attention to Jess's words and continued on his way. Matt was sorry for making Greg feeling bad. He thought he would never see him again.

Matt ran through the streets trying to find Greg

Finally, Matt saw him in the distance and shouted with his eyes full of tears

— Forgive me! Please don't leave me!

Greg stopped.

Matt crossed the street without looking, wiping the tears from his face when he heard a scream behind him

— Matt, watch out! — Jessica exclaimed loudly

Matt paralyzed, saw a car braking in front of him, but suddenly felt the push from Greg, to get him out of the way of the collision. The boy fell in the distance and fortunately, the vehicle did not impact him. However, Greg was hit by the car.

Matt got up crying and ran to Greg's lifeless body

— Greg! — exclaimed for the first time


In a distant dimension, a human Greg woke up in front of a woman, whom he had not seen in many years.

— Where I am? — he asked

He looked around, he was in a large medieval room. In the background, there was a large wooden door. He looked at the woman again.

— I know you! You are the witch who turned me into a dog! — he added

— Apparently, you've finally managed to fulfill your part. You will reincarnate in human form once you have passed through that wooden door.

— For the love of God! After 500 years, it was about time.

— Go ahead — the woman answered

Greg started to walk towards the exit but he stopped before getting to the door. Something wasn't right. He couldn't remember what it was. Suddenly, his clothes caught his attention; he wore a yellow long sleeve shirt. The word yellow stuck into his thoughts.

— Yellow! — He said loudly.

His eyes moved from side to side, searching between his memories

— Matthew! — He shouted

Greg went back to the place where the woman was

— I must go back, someone must take care of that child!

— Are you sure? — the woman asked

— You will remain a dog for the rest of eternity — she warned

Greg sighed

— Let's get this over with once for all.

The woman smiled and said

— Now you have earned your right to be human again. You have passed the true test

Greg was going to protest but he was interrupted by a signal that the woman made with her hand

— As a knight, you were accustomed to surrendering life for a greater cause, regardless of the danger, you would face. However, the disinterested act you just demonstrated is what broke the spell.

Greg was going to protest, but she continued talking

— But do not worry; you will continue to live in your dog body until you have passed 15 human years.

— A long life to be a dog – she added

The woman touched Greg's forehead and everything went white.

The cries of a child woke him up, his body was sore but did not present anything serious.

— Matt! Look! — Jessica shouted

Matt opened his eyes and saw Yellow getting up on his four legs.

Matt hugged Greg

— Don’t worry, kid! I won’t go anywhere — Greg whispered.


Epilogue

Twenty years later...

Greg was sitting in front of a desk in a totally neat room. An old man was looking at some sheets and suddenly, he asked:

— Have you decided where you want to reincarnate?

— Certainly! I know exactly where I want to be born.

Later, in an alternative earth plane, an adult Matthew holds a newborn in his arms. A woman lying in a hospital bed asked him:

— Have you already decided how you shall name your son?

— I know exactly the perfect name for him.

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