The Gatekeeper
No one would come or go without his say so. He guarded the door, controlled access, decided who was friend or foe. The dog knew his job and was hard-working. He barked so loud and threatened so often, that people stopped coming to the house. Tradesmen were wary of knocking. Children ran away when they heard the fierce roar.
One day the master took the dog aside. “I need your help,” he said. “There are people coming and I want you to let them pass. It’s important that I speak with them.”
The dog frowned at his master, unsure whether it was safe.
The master held out a biscuit. “Please do as I ask.”
The dog wagged his tail. Now, at last, he understood.