"You lied to me, Banks! That mongrel ain't no collie-dog. It's a muttdog, and about the ugliest cur I've ever seen."
Banks wrung his hands, as he looked at the small brown and white puppy. "But you're mistaken, Mr. Norde. This dog came out of my Tanya. She's the finest collie seen in these parts in generations. And may I remind you, you were quite happy to have acquired him."
Mr. Norde snorted. "He looked like any other pup when I got him. And he was layin' in Tanya's nest. But now I can see he's no Tanya. You deceived me. I want my money back!"
Mr. Banks picked up the puppy. "You will regret this, when you see him working one of your neighbor's flocks."
Mr. Norde laughed. "Work a flock? I'll wager he don't grow much bigger than a squirrel. What's he gonna work, a flock of sparrows?"
Mr. Banks sighed, and shook his head. "I'm a businessman, my good sir. I say this dog has champion bloodlines, and he does. However, I will refund your money."
After Mr. Norde left, Mr. Banks set the puppy on the barn floor. "Go find your mama. Why couldn't she have had you with anything but that blasted terrier who passed through with the circus?"
Wagging his tail at the familiar surroundings, he went on his way.
The next day, a boy of perhaps ten showed up as Mr. Banks was repairing a hinge on the barn door.
He looked up, smiling. "Hello, Ben. How can I help you today?"
Ben looked down at his bare feet. "I'd like some work, Sir. Anything you need done."
The man rubbed his chin. "I do have some fenceposts that need holes dug, and I also need a couple of acres plowed up in the north field. But I can't pay much. Times are hard, you understand."
Just then, the puppy came trotting up to them.
"Get out of here, you muttdog! Can't you see we're busy?" shouted Mr. Banks.
Ben scooped up the puppy. "He's not bothering me. I like him! If you don't want him, can I take him home?"
Mr. Banks stood still, watching the boy as he held the little dog up to lick his nose. "That dog's got champion blood. I can't just give him away."
Ben looked at the dog's coat, then over at Tanya. He frowned. "Then why did you call him a mutt?"
Mr. Banks' face went red, and he was silent for a very long moment. "Uh, why that's his name, of course. Muttdog. Like the big men working the railroad. The biggest of the lot are invariably called Tiny, because they aren't. This little guy was the only survivor of Tanya's most recent litter, and I've never seen a dog quite like him."
Ben scratched Muttdog behind the ears, then set him down. "I'm not sure I understand, Sir. But if you change your mind, please let me know?"
Mr. Banks folded his hands. "Well now, I really wasn't planning on keeping him. With Tanya I don't need another dog. I was going to sell him. But perhaps you would be willing to trade some work for him?"
Ben's eyes lit up. "I'll have to get Pa's permission, but that would suit me fine! We could use a good dog to help with the flock, and keep the milk cows in line."
Ben raced home, his feet barely touching the ground. He almost plowed right into Pa, who was carrying a pail of chicken feed.
"Pa! Mr. Banks' Tanya had a pup, one that he said he'd never seen anything quite like it. He's willing to let me have it for some work," panted the boy.
Pa grinned. "Remember to breathe, boy. Also remember what I told you about Banks. He's not a liar, everything he says to people is technically true. But he can twist words until the truth is like a lie."
Ben sucked in a lungful of air before he spoke. "Yes, Pa. But I did see a pup, and he told me that it was Tanya's."
Pa ran his hands through his hair. "Well if it's hers, it should grow up to be of some help. If you want it, go ahead. But you'll have to train it yourself."
Ben streaked away, and only when he was in the road did he stop. "Thanks, Pa!"
Two weeks later, Ben and Muttdog walked down the dirt road, ready for their new life together.
The little dog grew and thrived under Ben's care. He also had almost human-like intelligence, and was fearless.
"Let's see if you can ride old Bessie," he suggested one day, as they were bringing the cows home.
Muttdog wagged his tail as Ben placed him atop the cow. She mooed in protest, but continued to walk home sedately.
"Good boy, Muttdog!" Ben cheered loudly.
Just then, a carriage rolled by. "Whoa!" shouted a man, and the young gelding pranced in place.
Ben waved. "Hello, Mr. Norde. Your new horse must be the finest I've ever seen!"
Mr. Norde grinned, his eyes lit up with pride. "Thanks, he sure is. And come festival time, everyone will know he's the fastest too. That dog of yours is pretty fine too. Where'd you get him?"
"He's out of Mr. Banks' Tanya," the boy replied.
The man's eyes widened. Instead of the small, scraggly-haired puppy, there was a glossy-coated dog. He had a compact yet strong and agile build, and intelligent eyes.
Mr. Norde slapped the reins, and shook his head. "So the weasel was actually being honest this time..."
Cover image made in Canva Pro, using an image from Bing AI Image Generator