Chapter 2: How the Dog Found Himself a New Master!

Introduction

"How the Dog Found Himself a New Master!" is a delightful folk tale that explains how dogs came to be domesticated and live with humans. It tells the story of a dog who was tired of being his own master and sought the strongest creature in the world to serve.

Important Note: The complete original text of the chapter cannot be provided here due to copyright restrictions. Below is a summary of the story and questions/answers which will help you understand this chapter.

Story Summary

Long, long ago, dogs were their own masters and lived freely. One dog was tired of this life; he was sick of having to hunt for his own food and being afraid of stronger animals. He decided he would find a master who was the strongest of all creatures on Earth.

First, he went to a **wolf**. The wolf agreed to be his master. They walked together, but soon the dog noticed the wolf was afraid of something. It was a **bear**! The wolf quickly hid, and the dog realized the bear was stronger than the wolf. So, he left the wolf and decided to serve the bear.

The bear agreed to be his master. They walked through the forest, but soon the bear also got scared and hid. This time, it was a **lion**! The lion roared, and the bear trembled. The dog understood that the lion was the strongest of all. So, he left the bear and became the lion's servant.

The dog served the lion faithfully for a long time. He felt safe and had no complaints. One day, however, the lion stopped suddenly and let out a great roar. He saw a **man** walking by. The lion quickly hid himself in the forest. The dog was puzzled. He asked the lion why he was afraid. The lion explained that man was the strongest creature on Earth because even a lion was afraid of him.

Realizing that man was the true strongest, the dog left the lion and decided to become the **man's** servant. And to this day, the dog has remained man's most loyal friend and servant, never having to search for a new master again.

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Textbook Questions and Answers for "How the Dog Found Himself a New Master!"

I. Answer the following questions in a few words or one-two sentences.

  1. Who was the first master the dog chose?

    The dog first chose the wolf as his master.

  2. Why did the dog leave the wolf?

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

  3. Who was the second master the dog chose?

    The dog chose the bear as his second master.

  4. What made the dog realize the lion was stronger than the bear?

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

  5. Who did the dog finally choose as his master?

    The dog finally chose man as his master.

II. Answer each question in a short paragraph (approx. 30 words).

  1. Why was the dog unhappy with his life as his own 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.

  2. How did the dog decide who would be his next master?

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

  3. Describe the relationship between the dog and the lion.

    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.

  4. What was the final turning point that led the dog to man?

    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.

III. Answer each question in two or three paragraphs (100–150 words).

  1. Trace the journey of the dog in search of a master, highlighting each creature he chose and why he left them.

    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.

  2. Explain why the dog ultimately chose man as his master and how this decision has impacted dogs ever since.

    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.

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