KING OF THE MOUNTAIN

"Hi," said a voice.

Stopping my bike, a boy about my age with a goofy smile rode his bike onto my driveway.

"I'm Jeff," he said. "What's your name?"

"Virginia." I said looking at the ground.

"Did you just move here?" he asked.

"Yes," I replied.

"Where did you live before?" he asked.

"Near LA," I said. My dad came walking out with Chinook, my dog. "I have to walk my dog now."

"What kind is he?" Jeff asked, watching my big black and white dog. "He eyes don't match! One's blue and one's green."

"He's a Siberian Husky. His name's Chinook," I said. Jeff rode a little closer staring right at Chinook.

"Don't stare at him," I said.

"Why not?" asked Jeff.

"He'll think you don't like him," I replied. "That's what my dad told me."

"Oh." Jeff looked away.

"Hi, who's this?" asked my dad.

"Jeff this is my dad." I got off my bike to pet Chinook.

"Nice to meet you, Jeff. Chinook is friendly just let him smell your hand first. Make a tight fist in case he tries to nip," my dad said.

Chinook's tail wagged as we pet his shaggy coat.

"His tail's in a curl," Jeff said surprised.

"Because they run in teams tied to sleds. Their tails would be in another dog's face if they weren't curled." I said.

"I'm taking Chinook for a walk. Do you want to come?" my dad asked.

Jeff's eyes grew. "You don't know about King?"

"Who is King?" we both asked.

"That big dog up on the hill. We call him King of the Mountain," he replied.

"Why do you call him that?" I asked.

"Well...he chases kids away when they walk on that side of the street. He barks a lot too!" Jeff nodded at the hill across the street.

It was the only house there. All the other houses sat down below in its shadow. A long steep driveway curved up to the big yellow house where a black dog with pointed ears sat looking down at us.

"That's a Doberman Pinscher," said my dad.

"He's mean," said Jeff.

"Today, I"ll walk Chinook alone," replied my dad.

I felt sad, but knew it was safer not to go. King might not like Chinook and I could get hurt if they fought.

"Ok." I said giving Chinook a hug. "I'll see you later, boy."

I watched my dad walk down the street. Then I looked over and saw Jeff watching King.

"Is he really that mean?" I asked.

"He can be. He hasn't left his mountain lately," he said. "Want to play at my house?"

"I'll ask my mom." I ran inside and was back in a heartbeat. "I can go if I'm home for lunch."

"Ok, I live over there," He pointed to a blue house. I counted. It was five houses down from mine.

Jeff didn't have any pets but he did have a swing set. We played until Jeff's mom said it was time for me to go. I thanked Jeff and his mom for letting me come over.

Walking to my bike, I heard...Barking! I looked around. King stood at the top of the driveway looking down as he barked.

I jumped on my bike and pedaled. The barking grew louder. My heart was pumping as I looked over my shoulder. King came running down his mountain in my direction.

"Oh no!" I yelled. I looked at my house and saw dad playing ball with Chinook in the yard.

"Daddy!" I cried. "King is coming."

My dad looked up and ran toward me. Then I saw a black and white blur pass. Barking started, followed by growling sounds.

Not stopping until I reached the driveway: I jumped off my bike spinning around to see Chinook on top of King. Dad looked worried. He was standing back calling Chinook.

Chinook stayed on King: biting and barking every time he tried to move. Finally, Chinook let go and chased King back up his mountain.

Chinook walked home tail wagging followed by my dad. I ran throwing my arms around my hero.

"Thank you, boy." I whispered in his ear.

Our neighbors came to our house the next day. "We brought the hero treats," they said. "It seems King won't leave his front door anymore."

"Thank you, Chinook will love the treats," replied my dad.

Chinook gave us back our street. He saved his grateful little owner and became the neighborhood hero.