As is the Master; So is the Dog

Twelve-year-old Varun was presented with a Rajapalayam dog named Tiger on his birthday by his father. It was true that Varun had wanted to have his own dog for some time, but what he really wanted was an Alsatian or a Doberman. He never expected his father to choose a local Rajapalayam breed.

He did not show his disappointment, as he did not want to hurt his father's feelings. However, his father, Vasanth Kumar, was a police officer—a true face and mind reader. He understood immediately that his son was not happy with the gift.

Calling Varun to his side, he explained the noble qualities of the Rajapalayam breed, noting that they are in no way inferior to foreign-breed dogs. "Moreover," his father added, "this one is very well-trained to perform many tasks and obey many commands. Above all, it has been taught one more thing."

When Varun asked what that was, his father merely replied, "Wait and see."

One Sunday afternoon, while everyone in the house was having a siesta, a stranger scaled the gate and tried to sneak into the house. Tiger began barking his head off. Vasanth Kumar and Varun woke up and looked through the half-open window at the porch where Tiger stood chained.

The intruder tried to silence the dog by throwing cookies in front of him, but Tiger did not even look at them. Instead, he began barking more vigorously, straining against his chain to catch the trespasser.

Vasanth Kumar turned to his son and said, "See how Tiger spurns the cookies offered as a bribe by the thief? He is trained to resist bribery. He is as honest and trustworthy as his master."

Varun felt apologetic for underestimating Tiger just because he was locally bred. Tiger had proved himself beyond a doubt to be a reliable companion. Varun held his father's hand and said, "I am proud of you, Dad, and I am proud of our Rajapalayam dog, Tiger, too!"