Patrick hated to do homework.

Patrick saw his cat playing with a tiny doll (which was actually an elf).

The elf's wish was to be saved from the cat.

Patrick's wish was that the elf would do all his homework for 35 days (one semester).

No, the elf did not truly do all of Patrick's homework; Patrick himself did it by guiding the elf.

Patrick was called 'ignorant' by his teachers because he never did his homework and showed no interest in studying, leading him to learn nothing and perform poorly in school.

The elf faced many difficulties because he knew nothing about subjects like English, Maths, and History. He constantly needed Patrick's help, asking for definitions, times tables, and guidance from books.

Patrick helped the elf by staying up late, bringing books from the library, looking up words in the dictionary, explaining concepts, and guiding the elf step by step to complete the homework.

The outcome of Patrick's hard work was excellent results. He scored A grades in all subjects, his teachers praised him, and his parents were surprised by his new, positive attitude.

Initially, Patrick was a very lazy student who detested homework and preferred playing games. He consistently received 'C' and 'D' grades, and his teachers often advised him to improve. He seemed uninterested in studies and lacked discipline, leading to poor academic performance and a generally unkempt lifestyle.

His transformation began when he made a wish to the elf to do his homework. However, the elf, being ignorant of academics, constantly needed Patrick's help. Patrick was forced to sit with the elf, bring books from the library, consult dictionaries, and explain concepts in English, Maths, and History. This continuous engagement with his studies, even though he thought he was merely helping the elf, led him to learn the subjects thoroughly. He had to put in more effort than ever before. This forced engagement with academics instilled in him a sense of responsibility and discipline. By the end of the semester, he had not only completed all his homework but had also truly learned the material, resulting in him getting A grades and becoming a diligent, cheerful, and polite "model kid." The change was brought about by his own active involvement in the homework process, unknowingly educating himself.

The clever twist at the end of the story reveals the true nature of Patrick's success. Throughout the story, Patrick genuinely believed that the tiny elf was doing all his homework. This belief motivated him to bring books, look up words, and sit for long hours explaining concepts to the elf, who constantly claimed ignorance and sought guidance.

However, the secret shared by the author is that the elf was merely a catalyst. By constantly asking Patrick for help, definitions, and explanations, the elf inadvertently forced Patrick to read, research, understand, and write. When Patrick fetched books from the library, he was reading. When he looked up words in the dictionary, he was learning vocabulary and spelling. When he guided the elf through math problems or history facts, he was practicing and memorizing the material himself. Thus, while Patrick thought he was merely supervising the elf, he was actively engaging with and completing his own homework. The elf served as a device to make a lazy Patrick do the very thing he disliked, ultimately transforming him into a responsible and academically successful student.

The dog first chose the wolf as his master.

The dog left the wolf because he realized the wolf was afraid of the bear, meaning the bear was stronger.

The dog chose the bear as his second master.

The dog realized the lion was stronger when the bear quickly hid upon seeing the lion.

The dog finally chose man as his master.

The dog was unhappy because he had to find his own food and was constantly afraid of stronger animals, desiring a life where he didn't have to fear anyone.

The dog decided his next master by observing who the current master feared or avoided, always seeking the strongest creature to serve.

The dog served the lion faithfully for a long time, feeling safe and secure under the lion's protection, believing he had found the ultimate master.

The final turning point was when the dog saw the mighty lion hide in fear from a man, proving that man was indeed the strongest creature on Earth.

The dog, tired of a life of fear and self-sufficiency, embarked on a quest to find the strongest master. His first choice was the **wolf**, believing him to be fierce and powerful. However, their alliance was short-lived when the wolf, to the dog's surprise, showed fear and hid upon encountering a bear. This immediately revealed to the dog that the bear was stronger than the wolf, prompting him to leave the wolf's service.

Next, the dog approached the **bear**, who readily accepted him as a servant. Their partnership seemed promising until, while hunting, the bear suddenly became terrified and ran to hide in the bushes. The cause of the bear's fear was a roaring **lion**. Witnessing the bear's terror, the dog concluded that the lion was the superior and most powerful creature. Consequently, he abandoned the bear and offered his services to the lion, hoping to finally find the strongest master. He served the lion for a considerable period, feeling safe and content, until he discovered that even the mighty lion feared man.

The dog ultimately chose man as his master after realizing that even the powerful lion, whom he believed to be the strongest creature, showed fear and hid from a man. This final encounter convinced the dog that man was, in fact, the most formidable and authoritative being on Earth. His entire journey was driven by the desire for security and to serve a master whom no one could challenge or frighten. When he saw the lion's reaction to a mere human, it became clear that man possessed a unique strength that even the king of the jungle acknowledged.

This decision had a profound and lasting impact on dogs. By choosing man, the dog found the ultimate protection and companionship he sought. From that day forward, dogs have lived alongside humans, forming an unbreakable bond. They no longer had to hunt for themselves or live in constant fear of other animals. Instead, they received food, shelter, and affection in exchange for their loyalty and service. This tale explains the origin of the domesticated dog, highlighting their innate desire for a secure place within a hierarchical structure, and cementing their role as "man's best friend" – a relationship built on mutual benefit and trust that continues to this day.