Long ago, there lived a farmer and his dog named Shelly.
The dog was very faithful to his master.
The farmer also liked the dog very much.
He took good care of his dog.
One hot day, the farmer returned home from the field.
"Whew! I am thirsty!
I wonder where the water jar is," he said.
He found the jar and lifted it to drink some water.
But all of a sudden, the dog barked.
"Woof, woof."
The dog barked and barked some more.
"Oh, Shelly! Please be quiet!" the farmer said.
"Are you thirsty too?
I will give you some water when I am finished."
But the dog did not stop barking.
He even jumped up on his master.
"Hmm," said the farmer.
"Maybe, you are hungry.
Let me drink some water first.
Then I will give you something to eat."
"Woof, woof, woof!" barked the dog.
"Oh, what's the matter with you?
You are so greedy!
Can't you let me drink some water first?"
The farmer was so angry that he kicked his dog!
But the dog did not stop jumping on him.
"You are crazy, Shelly!
Go away!" said the farmer.
The dog did not give up.
He jumped up and bit his master's hand.
"Ouch!" yelled the farmer.
The jar crashed on the ground and broke into pieces.
"Oh no!" The farmer was so angry that he picked up a stick to hit the dog.
But then he noticed a dead snake among the pieces of the jar.
He knew that the snake was poisonous.
"Oh my! Then the water is poisonous too!" said the farmer.
"Hmm, I guess Shelly saw the snake slip into the jar."
"Woof, woof!" Shelly barked and wagged his tail.
"Oh, my faithful dog!
You saved my life!"
The farmer felt sorry and regretted hurting his dog.
He gave Shelly a pat.
"You were right, Shelly.
Next time, I will listen!
And I promise not to hit you ever again," he said.