The Story of Old Sultan
The Beginning of a Difficult Decision
Once upon a time, there lived a poor farmer who had a wife and a daughter. He also had a loyal dog named Sultan, who had grown old and lost all his teeth. Because of this, he could no longer bite, neither to eat nor to defend himself.
— Hey, tomorrow I want to leave old Sultan in the forest. He's no longer of any use.
His wife felt sorry for the faithful animal.
— He has served us for many years and has been so loyal. He has taken care of us for so long. In his last days, we should take care of him too. — What? Aren't you too clever, woman? He doesn't have a single tooth left in his mouth and he doesn't scare any thief anymore. He can go. He served us, but he was also well-fed for it. Now I don't have money or food to waste on this useless dog.
The poor dog, who was lying in the sun nearby, heard everything and felt sad that tomorrow would be his last day.
The Wolf's Plan
— Oh dear, my master thinks I'm useless. I must do something, otherwise tomorrow I'll be out on the streets. I must consult with my friend, the wolf.
So, in the evening, he crept into the forest to meet his friend, the wolf, and complained to him about the fate that awaited him.
— Ah, that is indeed sad. But don't be upset. All you have to do is prove that you are useful. I've thought of something. — Oh, what? What? — Listen carefully. Tomorrow morning, your master will go with his wife to gather hay and they will take their child with them, so the child won't be alone in the house. As usual, while they work, they will place the child under a bush in the shade. All you have to do is stay there too. — And then? — Then I will appear, and you will see.
The plan the wolf had concocted both intrigued and frightened Sultan, but he went along with it, hoping it would save his life.
Saving the Child
The next day, everything unfolded according to plan. The farmer and his wife were working in the field, and Sultan was sitting next to the little child. And just as he promised, the wolf appeared.
— Here you are, my friend. Now, what shall we do? — Bark!
The wolf took the child, shocking Sultan and the parents. Shocked by his friend's actions, Sultan followed the wolf into the forest. The farmer and his wife saw everything from a distance and ran after Sultan.
— Stop! Where are you going with the child?
The wolf reached the dark part of the forest and stopped. Sultan also arrived there and threatened him.
— You won't harm the child as long as I'm alive. — I'm not here to harm the child. I just wanted to show your master what a good dog you are. Now, take the child back to your master, who will believe you saved him and will be too grateful to do you any harm. Quite the contrary, they will be so fond of you that you will never lack anything.
The wolf gave the child back and wished Sultan good luck.
— Thank you, my friend! You just saved my life!
The Reward and a New Request
The farmer and his wife entered the forest screaming, but they stopped when they saw old Sultan bringing the child back safe and sound.
— Oh, my friend Sultan! Well done! Well done! You saved my child and showed me what a great dog you are!
The farmer was filled with happiness and lovingly embraced old Sultan.
— And you, who wanted to abandon him! — Sorry, my friend! You'll eat bread for free for as many days as you have left. Dear, go home at once and prepare some soaked bread for old Sultan, which he doesn't have to bite. And give him the pillow from my bed. I want to give it to him to lie on.
From then on, old Sultan was doing as well as could be. Soon, the wolf visited him and was glad that everything had turned out so well. However, he had a request for old Sultan.
— After all I've done for you, I deserve a reward. — Yes, of course, my friend! I'm ready to share my food with you every day. — No, no. I take care of my own food. All you have to do is turn a blind eye when I steal one of your master's fat sheep. — What? Never! I cannot betray my master! I'm sorry, I cannot accept that.
A New Confrontation
The wolf, who thought Sultan wasn't serious, crept in at night and wanted to steal the sheep. But faithful Sultan, aware of the danger, was on alert and as soon as he spotted the wolf, he began to bark, and the farmer chased the wolf away with a club. The wolf had to retreat, but he shouted at the dog:
— Just you wait! You'll pay for this!
The next morning, the wolf sent the wild boar to call the dog into the forest, to settle scores.
— You owed the wolf and you didn't pay your debt. You must come to the forest and apologize to the wolf for the beating he received from your master.
Old Sultan knew he hadn't been called to apologize. The wolf planned to attack him. Old Sultan found no one to stand by him, only a three-legged cat. And as they walked together, the poor cat limped and stretched its tail in the air with pain.
— My legs hurt! — Oh, dear cat, I will never forget your help.
Victory Through Deception
The wolf and his friend were already at the appointed place. But when they saw their enemy coming, they thought he had brought a sword with him, because they mistook the cat's raised tail for one.
— Oh, where did that old scoundrel Sultan find a sword? — I'm sure he'll defeat you, wolf! — And there's a cat too! But what is it doing?
When the poor animal walked on three legs, they thought that each time it was picking up a stone to throw at them.
— Oh, I don't think we can win, wolf! I'm going to hide! — Me too!
Scared, the wild boar hid in the forest, and the wolf jumped into a tree. When they arrived, the dog and the cat wondered why no one was there.
— I don't see anyone.
However, the wild boar couldn't hide so well, and one of his ears could be seen. While the cat was looking carefully around, the wild boar moved its ear.
— Meow! I could! A mouse!
The cat, who thought it was a mouse moving there, pounced on it and bit it hard. The terrified wild boar made a sound and ran away screaming.
— Leave me alone! The culprit is in the tree!
Surprised, the dog and the cat looked up and saw the wolf, who was ashamed for being so cowardly.
— What are you doing up there, my friend? — Meow! You hid out of fear, didn't you?
The wolf came down, ashamed of being such a bad friend and even more ashamed of being so scared and fearful. But old Sultan embraced him, chasing away his fear.
— Don't worry! I won't hurt my friend!
The wolf learned his lesson and became friends with the dog again.
The moral of the story: True friendship and loyalty are stronger than any temptation or mistake.
