CHESTER’S COMPANION
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Chapter 1
Chester Riven Rahman
stumbled forward to catch up with his family.
Nine year old Chester lived in Bangladesh on the date, 1936. His pimpled face was very round and his black
hair almost covered his eyes. Out of breath,
Chester caught up to his family. It took
him some effort to keep his feet to go as fast as his family’s strides. There
were many villages and Chester lived in one called Macum. His eldest siblings were Liam and Lucy and
they were not so much excited about returning back home. Every day after working in the corn fields,
Chester and his family would have to return home to start their chores.
Since Chester was the youngest, he
had the least amount of chores. His
chores were also the easiest out of the family’s chores. Huffing and puffing the family reached the
old looking cabin. “Ok children, make
sure you finish ALL your chores before anything else,” Chester’s mom, Rose,
said. By the time the families got back
from the corn fields all the children were exhausted. The children were extremely exhausted and
slow doing their chores because by the time the family got back from the corn
fields, it was sunset. “Finished,”
Chester called out to the family, as he flopped to his ugly looking cot. Liam glared at him because he still had lots
more chores to complete. Chester formed
with his mouth the words “Sorry.”
“We need to move Charles,”
Chester heard his mom’s quiet voice say to his dad “There is no other job
around here that provides more money than our current one. We need to find another job Charles.
“Ok, but it’s going to take some
time, and you do know that I have been think…” Chester fell asleep before he
heard another word.
“Wake up sleepy pigs, we’re
going!” Chester fell of his cot with a
thud, and then groaned loudly as he picked himself up. He shook himself awake, put his sandals on,
and then hurried outside to the others.
The breeze was chilly on his drowsy face. Chester and his family worked six days of the
week in the corn field’s non-stop. On
the way to the corn fields, Chester saw a man walking and in his hand he held a
rope. At the end of the rope, was a
small, brown dog.
Chester loved dogs so much because
he always wanted one to be his friend, companion, and champion. The dog was so cute and Chester wanted to go
up to it and hug it. “Keep up Chester,”
his sister Lucy said looking behind at him.
Chester blinked a couple times at the dog, and then dashed forward to
catch up with his family once again.
“So?” The family waited for
Chester’s dad. “What’s the announcement?”
There was a long silence as the
family waited around the wooden table for supper. Charles finished the last bit of his rice and
said, “Rose and I have decided that...” there was a long pause, “...That we are
moving to a new home.” The family
stirred a little uneasy in their seat, but Chester couldn't wait.
“What’s the new location?!” Chester
said. “Where is it?!”
“Slow down,” Charles voice said
“Impossible child,” Rose said in a
low grumble which Chester couldn't hear.
“It is about eighteen and a half
miles from here to the new house. The
house is not going to be much because we couldn't afford anymore, so be pleased
what we have bought. The main reason why
we are moving is to find a job that will give out more money.” Charles waited for the information to sink
in,
“We leave tomorrow, at dawn.”
Chester walked beside his
father asking every minute he could spare to ask him a question about the
trip. “So….. eighteen and a half miles…
is that correct?” Chester said, asking his tenth question to his busy dad.
“Enough, your questions are starting
to sound annoying and I don’t want to hear anymore. Chester’s dad said getting quite furious with
his son now. The family marched on as
they continued their journey to a new home.
Chester who couldn't keep up that much struggled behind. Chester walked and walked and walked, as they
day went by. The grass was dull and
long, as the family kept their feet going.
The family could not take much water for their journey. There just weren't enough bottles for
everyone to have their own
“Are we almost there?” Chester
complained, his lips sticking together because they were so dry. They had run out of water, and the family was
quickening their pace.
“Almost, Chester, three more
miles,” his older brother called out to his little brother.
Chester saw big blocks of rock in
the distance. No, there were lots of
rocks. Then suddenly Chester’s eyes went
big and he shook himself to get a closer look.
“It is our house!”
Chester took a big deep
breath as he drank out of the wooden bowl from the well. He took another sip, and then dashed over to
look at their house. It was not what
Chester was hoping for, but he didn’t care that much. The family washed their face and clothes and
then went straight to work. Chester’s
job was to sweep the whole house (which wasn't really big). Chester didn't like the job because since
there was so much dust, every time he swept the dust would get into his
eyes. The day was difficult after their
long walk from the old house. They were
so exhausted that it was hard to stay focused, but the parents and kids
managed.
After that long day, Chester
plopped down onto his new cot and smiled.
It felt so good to be in a new home and he felt so comfy in his new cot
that he fell fast asleep.
Friend
Chapter 2
The grass and sky were so
peaceful and the air was quiet and still.
The only sound was the snoring of a small ten year old boy half sleeping
in the grass. “Chester,” someone called
out, nothing moved. “Chester!” Chester
sat up with a jolt, and a grin spread across his face. He leaped up and ran for his home. The grass was squashed as Chester’s quick
paced feet raced across the ground.
His brother and sister finally
completed their chores, so now was play time for Chester. With the family’s new job, more was able to
be afforded, including: food items, tools, clothes, and other accessories. The children actually started getting pocket
money, although, it was only a very small amount. In Chester’s mind he wanted to buy a dog, but
then he wanted other things that he has been longing for like candy and fruits
he hasn’t tried before. The kids played
a game that they just learned from their neighbors, soccer. The children enjoyed it very much, and played
it whenever time was spared.
“Chester!” Chester’s mom called out
to him during one of their favorite soccer games. Chester was very disappointed and walked
slowly back to the house. He took a seat
next to his mother and they talked. “Charles
is going to the market to get us some food in the morning. He would really like it if you could
accompany him.” Chester thought about
all the cool things that would happen. Buying food, doing jobs, maybe finding a...
Chester’s heart leaped, “Sure mom!”
“Well then it is settled. Now run along and play with your brother and
sister.” Chester jumped off his chair
and ran outside to continue the amazing game.
Liam and Lucy were actually waiting for him, and he was happy for that.
Chester looked out the dirty
window, and saw the pitch black sky. The
stars twinkled in the sky and the moon had been up for hours. Chester couldn't get to bed and lay there
moving in his bed constantly. I might find one, NO it would be
impossible. Chester brushed away his
thoughts and looked up at the roof right above his bed. His bed sat in the attic on the second floor
and the roof was so close to the ground that Chester would hit his head every
time he got up. He had a big bruise on
his head, and was careful every time he woke up. At last Chester’s body fell to sleep.
“Chester,” a quiet voice
said. Chester stirred in his bed and
then awoke. He sat up and hit his head
smacked on the roof, he groaned and fell back to his bed. “Chester, it is time to go, get your clothes
and I will meet you outside.” Chester
sat up and put on his sandals just as his dad left the room like a ninja in the
night. The air was cold as Chester
finished dressing and walked outside to join his father. His dad and Chester started on their
walk. At first they walked silently and
slow, but when they got out of the small village they started walking faster.
It would take them a long time to
walk their so Chester and his dad played hand games or made jokes. At last after about two hours they reached
the markets. Since it was still early in
the morning there wasn't many people, but after a little while more people
started piling in. Chester had been to
the markets only once with his dad, and he found it interesting. His dad led him over to one stall where he
had to get some juicy fruit for the family like oranges and mangoes. Chester loved mangoes a whole lot, and loved
when his dad bought some. “You can walk
around the market, Chester, but don’t go too far. The shopping shouldn't take too long.”
Chester wandered around the market
and looked at each stall. Chester saw
fruits, meats, nuts, candy, and tons of other things he didn't know. People looked at people walking across hoping
for them to buy something at their stall.
Some people were rushing, others eating, and other people were walking
slowly and admiring the market. Chester
was one of the people who were looking at each stall. He walked and walked to almost every single
stall. When just a little always he saw
a brown sign, he couldn't read it, and so he moved in closer. There on the sign it said Pet Store.
It wasn't really a store, it was
just a small stall with a couple pets in these small environments people
made. Chester didn't really care if it
was small, he loved pets. He looked
around the stall at all the animals, but the animal that attracted him even
more than the others was the dog. The
dog was in a big glass container with straw at the bottom. Chester stood close to the glass and looked
at the adorable dog. The dog was white with a bit of black on him. The dog was
small and cute and jumped around playing with a ball. Oh how Chester wanted it so bad.
“He’s cute, isn't he?” The stall owner said standing next to the ten
year old boy. Chester jerked out of his
dreamy mode and looked at the stall owner.
“Oh well... Uh, yes
he is cute.”
“Would you like to buy him, he is
on half price and is in good condition.”
The owner smiled and felt glad that a customer came to his stall.
“No I was just looking, but yes he
is cute.” After a few minutes Chester
said thanks anyway and then moved onto another stall. Maybe I
could buy some candy or something with my pocket money. He thought to
himself. No, remember what you were saving up for, he told himself as he
walked over to watch some dancers. He
sat down on a bench watching the dancers and yawned, he was tired. “Chester Riven Rahman” Chester jumped up; he
thought he had done something wrong and then just realized that it was his
dad. He turned around and his dad was
there holding food.
“Why did you use my full name in
public?”
“Sorry, Chester, It was just that
you weren't answering and I called you three times.”
“Sorry dad I was just tired,” Chester
said following his dad. Should I tell him? No…..alright I will. “Dad,” Chester started out saying. “Dad could I get a…. well we don’t have to do
it, I was kind ah… well not kind a…”
“WHAT SON?” His father said wanting to hear what his son
was going to say.
Chester sighed, “Could I get a…a
dog, I-I know it’s a big question I just wanted to buy a dog.”
Charles stopped and looked at his
son now understanding why Chester was shy to say it. “Son that is a big question, and dogs are
very expensive here. Did you want one
because you saw one in the market place?”
“Well-well yes there was a dog on
half price at a small pet store.”
“I will have to talk to your
mother, and don’t keep your hopes up.
Also you’re paying for it.”
“B-b-but dad I could never buy a
dog, I would have to wait years.”
His father, Charles, sighed and
kept walking. There was silence between
the two and the thought about a lot of things.
“What! Chester wants to get a dog….. A dog!? You know that would use up most of our
budget. We although can’t afford that
and he knows that, now why is he asking us,” Rose shouted. Charles and Rose were sitting inside while
the kids played outside.
“Calm down Rose, I was thinking of
something special for him, and you know his birthday is coming up right?” We could take his pocket money the day before
h…” The door flung open and Charles shut his mouth. Chester and his brother and sister, walked in
and smiled as they walked up the stairs to their beds.
“We will talk about it later,”
Charles whispered to Rose as he walked up stairs also to go to his room.
Three
days almost two until I turn eleven years old, although I probably won’t get
any presents, but it doesn't matter I will be older! Chester thought as he lay in his comfy
bed. They had just eaten a wonderful
chicken dinner because Chester and his dad bought fresh and new food. The days went past quickly and soon it was
the afternoon before his birthday.
Chester felt older already as he and the family worked on their newish
job. Then time past and Chester was put
to bed and he lay there excited about the day ahead of him.
Chester’s eyes flickered
open and he lay there wondering why his dad hasn't waked him up to do
work. Maybe he just woke up earlier and wa… wait a minute, IT’S MY
BIRTHDAY. He fell off his bed
because he remembered about hitting his head on the roof. He got his clothes on and walked down the
stairs silently just in case he woke up to early.
“HAPPY BIRHTDAY TO YOU, HAPPY
BIRTHDAY TO YOU…. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR CHESTERRRR, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU. HIP HIP…. HORRY, HIP HIP…HORRY, HIP HIP….
HORRY!!!”
Chester got surprised at first, but
then ran and cuddled next to his parents’ laps while listening to the
song. “Happy Birthday Chester,” his
family said.
Latter in that same day after lots
of games and jokes the family told Chester to close his eyes. They led him outside and then stopped. “Ok now open,” Chester opened his eyes and
first of all he didn't see anything and then there it stood. There on one of the wooden light poles was a
leash and on that leash stood a three month old Lhasa Apso male puppy.
Teachings
Chapter 3
Chester almost fainted, but shook
himself; it’s true I have a dog. He ran to the dog and oh how soft his fur is and how cute he
looks! The puppy wagged his tail and
jumped up and down as Chester played with him.
“He is a Lhasa Apso and was three months old when we bought him. Make sure with your pocket money that you buy
him food and toys to play with because he will need it. Son, you have a big responsibility and you
wanted it, so don’t come to us saying it’s too hard. Now run along, Rose and I
have some things we need to work on. Oh and also just remember there is going
to be no dog in the house, yet.
“THANK YOU SO MUCH,” Chester said
giving each of his family members a big hug!
Then Chester, with a happy spirit, ran to their backyard with his dog
beside him. Chester wanted the puppy to
trust him and to let him know that he is the owner, but Chester found it more
difficult than expected. After days went
by, Chester found out that his puppy always did flips in the air to catch food
out of Chester’s hand. After a long and
annoying time, he finally called his puppy Flipper.
Flipper was a good puppy to Chester
and always obeyed what he said. Chester
spared anytime he could to play and teach Flipper.
“Jump Flipper….come on,”
Flipper just wouldn't budge. Chester and
Flipper were out in the backyard and Chester was trying to get Flipper to do a
twist in the air. Flipper has done it numerous times before, but he wasn't
doing anything today. “Maybe you are
just a lazy dog today,” said Chester shaking his head. He held Flipper’s favorite food pellets in
the air and said, “Jump…come on, jump!”
Flipper looked foolish just sitting there doing nothing, but Chester
didn't give up now.
Chester opened the hand that had
the pellets to Flippers mouth. Flipper’s
eyes went bright and he ate the pellets out of Chester’s hand and then sat
up. This time Chester did something
different, he got some more pellets on a shelf that Flipper couldn't
reach. Then he stood up and through a
pellet in the air, in a half a second Flipper jumped in the air doing a single
twist and caught the pellet. “Good boy!”
Said Chester, happy he figured out a way Flipper could jump every time. Chester then gave Flipper an extra pellet for
the good job.
“You need some exercise Flipper;
you are starting to get fat.” Chester
thought for a moment and then ran inside to get the leash. He tied the leash to Flippers new collar Chester
recently bought him that says FLIPPER.
Then he walked Flipper around the village.
“ Chester,
CHESTER,” Chester didn't hear it at first and then he turned around and ran for
the house, with Flipper running beside him.
“Yes mom?” said Chester as he entered
the house.
“Your brother found a job in a new
village; he is going to live there now and you might not see him ever
again. I know we haven’t told you about
this, but we have been thinking of this for a long time.” Chester’s mom said
holding back tears.
Chester ran to his brother and gave
him a big hug, “I-I will miss you.”
“I will miss you all,” said Liam,
walking slowly out the door. Flipper
came up to Chester’s brother and barked and jumped into the air, the family
laughed. Liam looked back to his family
and smiled, then walked off.
“It’s almost dinner, and we are
going to make rice with vegetables.
Could you help?” Rose said to Chester, who was putting Flipper to his
newly made dog house that Chester made.
“Sure,” said Chester.
Happily Ever
After
Chapter 4
“Please dad! Please?” plead
Chester to his dad.
“You are right, I did say. Alright, Flipper is allowed inside the
house. On one condition…”
“What’s that,” Chester interrupted.
“You have to brush Flipper almost
every day.”
“B-but I-I…” he sighed, “Alright, I
will do it.”
“Good then, it is settled,” said
Charles getting up from his seat.
“Hey dad, guess what?”
“What?”
“Flipper can do a twist in the air
on my command without any food!”
“That is excellent, Chester, keep
it up!”
Chester smiled and then ran up to
his bedroom, got his leash and came back down.
He ran outside and met the freezing cold breeze blow into his face. It was winter, and winter at Chester’s village
was cold! Chester reached Flippers dog
house, and looked in. He wasn't there,
Chester frowned, were could he be?
“Flipper…”there came no response, “FLIPPER.”
Flipper came out of a bush right behind Chester and jumped and bucked
about.
“Oh,” Chester laughed, “there you
are. I thought I had lost you.” Flipper barked and then walked into his dog
house. “Hey Flipper, you are allowed in
the house now!” Chester didn't think he
understood him, but he put the leash on Flipper and then led him to the house. Flipper didn't understand what was going on,
but then he realized. Flipper yanked so
hard on the leash that Chester let go.
Flipper barked and rushed into the house.
Chester laughed, “He likes it!”
“He does indeed,” said his mother
as she walked down the stairs to see what the barking was all about.
Chester lay in bed with
Flipper beside him snoring. Chester was
glad that Flipper was allowed inside the house.
He lay there wondering I am a
lucky child to have gotten a puppy.
He then closed his eyes and fell asleep.
“Chester, it’s time to get up his
mom called from downstairs, Chester woke up with a start and BANG, he smashed
his head right into the roof that is the
fiftieth TIME! ARRGHH. He groaned
and turned to feel Flipper’s soft hair, but felt nothing except the bed
quilt. Where’s Flipper? “Flipper,” Chester called out as he leaped out of
bed and ran downstairs. “Hey mom and
dad, have you seen Flipper?”
“No,” they both said at the same
time. “We thought he was up with you.”
“Well he isn't, I am going to go
look for him outside.”
His parents looked at each other
with a worried look. Chester rushed
outside and searched desperately. He
called out the same thing over and over again, “Flipper, Flipper!” Chester was starting to get worried, they had
a small fence around their property and there was a gate. How did
he get out of t… Then he saw it, the gate was open someone had left it
open. He ran back to the house, “Mom,
dad, the gate was left open; I am going to see if I can find Flipper.”
“But son, we have to go to work in
one hour.”
“Can I please look until we go, please?”
“Well… alright, but go quick.”
Chester ran upstairs, got his
sandals, and then ran back outside. He
searched and searched, but Flipper was nowhere.
Why did he leave me? “Flipper,”
Chester would call out as he ran past house after house. There was nothing insight that Chester could
see. He ran back to the house after
almost an hour. When he got back to the
house, his sister and parents were there waiting for him.
“Did you find him,” they asked as
he ran up to them?
“No,” said Chester out of breath,
“I will look for him after.” His family
understood and nodded. Then the family
left the house and started walking to their job. During work, Chester wanted so bad to run
into the village and continue looking for Flipper, but he couldn't, he had a job
to do. He tried to work harder to finish
the job, but it was a time period they had to work not how much they did. He was exhausted and really wanted to finish.
Finally, the time was up and
Chester said, “I will meet you at the house when I finish looking.” It was a few hours until dinner every time
the finished their work, so Chester only had a bit of time. He continued his search basically doing the
same thing. Only this time he started
asking people if they have seen his dog.
Every answer was the same, “No, I am sorry.” After a long time, Chester gave up. He fell onto the dirt and cried. He cried for a long time and new that his dog
was lost forever.
After crying, he slowly got up,
wiped the tears away and walked very slowly back to the house. When he reached the house, he looked up to see
the family standing there smiling. He
knew they were wondering if he had found the dog, and he shook his head.
“Chester, I am so sorry…” Charles,
his father said, “But how could Flipper ever leave you.” He smiled and in that
moment Flipper, Chester’s dog barked and came running up. “Someone came up to us and said is this dog
yours? We said yes, and so here he is!” Chester was astonished and laughed out loud.
“You came back to me my boy! I will make sure that I will never make that
mistake again.”
Flipper became Chester’s companion
even more that day, and they lived happily ever after.
“OK, but remember to give it back
to me right after,” Mustafa said sitting down on the grassy hill and waiting
for his crab friend to finish so he can have his turn. Mustafa watched the crab out of his big bulgy
eyes. Mustafa saw Tundra bouncing the
ball again and again. Mustafa lay still
on the grass, and started to take his gaze of Tundra. Suddenly Mustafa bolted upright and shook
himself awake. Mustafa scanned the hill
side, but could not see the sneaky crab.
