A child stands on a street corner, idly kicking gravel while a dark-brown dog approaches, dragging a rope from its neck. They share a moment of playful interaction until the child strikes the dog, causing it to submit in a comical display of contrition. The child, amused, continues to hit the dog, who follows him home, despite the child's contemptuous treatment. Once at home, the child’s family reacts negatively to the dog, but the child defends it fiercely. The dog becomes a part of the household, forming a bond with the child, who protects him from the family's mistreatment. The dog learns to navigate the dangers of the household, becoming adept at avoiding harm, especially when the child is present. The child and the dog share a deep companionship, with the dog displaying unwavering loyalty. The child often seeks solace with the dog during his troubles, and the dog reciprocates with affection. However, the dog remains wary of the other family members, who often neglect or mistreat him. One day, the father returns home drunk and violent. The child, recognizing the danger, hides under the table, while the dog, unaware, approaches the father. The father, in a fit of drunken joy, attacks the dog with a coffee pot, leading to a series of blows that leave the dog helpless. In a cruel twist, the father decides to throw the dog out of the window for amusement. The dog is flung from the window, crashing onto a shed and then to the pavement below. The child, witnessing this, cries out and struggles to reach the alley where the dog lies. In the end, the child finds his friend lifeless, marking a tragic conclusion to their bond.
By Stephen Crane · First published 1893 · Genre: Literary Fiction, Realism, Tragedy