郊狼与家犬_360影视

摘要：很久以前，人类崇拜郊狼。传说它们给人类带来了火，给世界带来了冬天，给银河系带来了星星。人们歌颂郊狼的功德，把最好的肉都留给它们。但后来，人们开始养家犬。可爱温顺的狗逐渐俘获了人类的心。郊狼愤愤不平，它们决定模仿狗去接近人类。郊狼潜入城市，每当它们发现一只狗，就

The Day the Dogs Disappeared

By Shelley Walden

Art by Bonnie Lui

很久以前，人类崇拜郊狼。传说它们给人类带来了火，给世界带来了冬天，给银河系带来了星星。人们歌颂郊狼的功德，把最好的肉都留给它们。但后来，人们开始养家犬。可爱温顺的狗逐渐俘获了人类的心。郊狼愤愤不平，它们决定模仿狗去接近人类。郊狼潜入城市，每当它们发现一只狗，就会咬断拴住它的绳子或打开围栏，向它们描绘野外自由美好的世界，狗被说动了。郊狼如愿去了人类家里，而狗则冒险进入荒野，结果发生了什么呢？

There was a time, many moons ago, when humans and coyotes lived in harmony. People told stories of the great trickster Coyote and how he brought fire to humans, winter to the world, and stars to the Milky Way. They honored coyotes with dances and songs. They even saved the best scraps of meat for them.

But as the years passed, people's relationship with the land changed. They plowed the prairies, chopped the forests, and paved the deserts. They even found new animals to adore . . .

Dogs! The people oohed and aahed over pugs and Chihuahuas, Shih Tzus and terriers, retrievers and cockapoos. Their hearts became so filled with dogs that there was no room left for coyotes.

“The people have forgotten us,” Chief Coyote said one day. “They no longer tell stories of our adventures.”

“It is true,” Brother Coyote said. “They gave bones to our ancestors. Now those mongrels get them all.”

“We must find our way back into their hearts,” Sister Coyote said.

“Then we should go into their homes, for that is how dogs won their love,” Chief said.

“Good idea,” Sister said. “But first we need to get those pesky dogs out of the way somehow.”

“Simple,” Brother said. “We’ll convince them to switch places with us.”

It was a very coyote thing to say. For they had a long history of impersonating other animals—like woodpecker, snowbird, and even buffalo. Although it never ended well, coyotes kept trying to be something they weren't.

The very next day, the coyotes sneaked into the nearby city. Whenever they found a dog, they chewed through its rope or opened its pen. Then they tried to convince the dog to swap places.

“But I don’t want to leave my human,” Collie said. “I love him.”

“Me too,” Hound said.

“Ruff!” Mastiff said. He wasn’t the smartest dog in the litter, but he sure was cute.

“Imagine how great life would be without a leash,” Chief said. “You could sniff every tree you wanted and chase SQUIRRELS all day long.”

“SQUIRRELS?!” the dogs said.

“Yes,” Sister said. “There are more squirrels in the wild than you can even imagine.”

So the dogs agreed. But first, Chief Coyote had a question.

“Tell us, dogs, how did you weasel your way into humans’ hearts?”

“We let them pet us.” Collie said.

“We played fetch.” Hound said.

“And we chased the mailman!” Mastiff said, as a glob of drool fell from his mouth.

Armed with this knowledge, the coyotes went to the humans’ houses, while the dogs ventured out into the wilderness.

Although the humans missed their dogs, they were so glad to see furry animals again that they welcomed the coyotes into their homes. The coyotes tried to follow the dogs’ advice. They let the people pet them, but their fur was crawling with fleas. They played fetch, but they weren’t very good at retrieving balls. They even tried to chase the mailman. They tore his mailbag and ripped the envelopes to shreds.

But the harder the coyotes tried, the sadder the humans became. Coyotes just weren’t the same as dogs.

When darkness fell, the coyotes howled. They had found their way into the homes of men but weren’t happy there. They missed seeing the sun set over the mountains, casting pink light on the juniper trees. They longed to breathe fresh air, chase rabbits, and feel dirt on their paws.

That night, the coyotes said goodbye to the humans and returned to their den, where the dogs were waiting. They, too, had had a rough time. When they tried to befriend a skunk, he sprayed them. When they sniffed bushes, they got covered in thorns. And they couldn’t catch even one squirrel. Their coats were matted, their stomachs growled, and their paws were sore.

“We missed you!” the dogs said, licking the coyotes’ muzzles.

“They really are delightful creatures,” Brother Coyote whispered to Sister.

“We tried to take your place,” Chief Coyote said. “But we are not meant for human homes, just as you are not meant for the wilderness. Come, my friends. It’s time to go home.”

When the dogs returned to the city, they were so excited to see their humans that they slobbered all over them. The humans didn’t care. They were just happy to have their friends back.

Although the coyotes' plan had failed, it reminded humans of how lucky they were to have dogs in their lives. For that, the humans would always be grateful. For their part, the coyotes learned that they were happiest when they were true to their nature.

From that day forward, humans, dogs, and coyotes lived in harmony. And at night, humans told stories about the clever coyotes and the day the dogs disappeared.