Maren’s wish

The last item was packed in the wagon. Everyone in Maren’s family was ready to leave—that is, except for Maren. Maren’s dog Missy got lost yesterday. Maren went to bed knowing that if Missy did not show up by morning, she would be left behind. Maren had looked one last time, hoping that Missy was hiding somewhere. But now it was time to go.

That night her family stopped to build a fire for dinner. Maren didn’t eat much dinner and was having a hard time getting to sleep. Tears kept coming. Before long, her brother Benjamin called for their pa.

“Pa!” called Ben.

“What is it?” asked Pa.

“I don’t know, but it looks like a wolf,” he answered.

Maren’s heart skipped a beat and she froze with fear. The wolf had probably eaten Missy. Maren’s pa grabbed his rifle and stepped outside. He too saw the gleaming eyes in the distance. He knew that if he did not shoot the wolf, it would follow them and try to attack at night.

Maren poked her head out of the wagon. She watched in fear as her pa cocked the gun. Just then she heard a familiar whimper.

“Pa! It’s Missy.” Maren jumped from her perch and ran to the eyes in the dark. Sure enough, it was Missy. She was a bit bedraggled, but home.

“How on Earth?” asked Pa. A smile crept across Maren’s face as she hugged Missy.