The Dog Who Saved the Drowning Child
Once upon a time, in a lovely village on the bank of a clear river that flowed with a roar, there lived a little boy. This cheerful boy had a furry and clever dog named Yanık, famous for his loyalty. Yanık followed his master's every step and read his joy and his sorrow in his eyes. One noon, when the summer heat settled over the village, the pair set out toward the bank of the rushing river to cool off. The foamy waters of the river glittered like diamonds under the sunlight and accompanied the songs of the nightingales around them. While the boy was gathering colorful stones on the riverbank, his foot suddenly slipped and he tumbled into the wild current.
The little boy, swallowed all at once by the cold waters, tried to call for help, shouting in terror. The strong, swiftly flowing waves dragged him helplessly toward the depths and took his breath away. Yanık, standing on the bank at that moment, sensed the danger at once, pricked up his ears and leapt forward with a deafening bark. The loyal friend, without hesitating even for a moment, threw himself into the foamy and merciless embrace of the river. Seeing the boy's hands thrashing in the water, Yanık began to swim against the current with all his strength. While the waves tossed them both about, the river had turned into a huge monster that tested the love of these two friends.
Yanık fixed his sharp eyes on his goal and swam relentlessly with powerful strokes through the foam toward the boy. With one last effort the brave dog sank his teeth into the boy's collar and managed to hold him above the water. Despite the merciless pressure of the waves, he pressed his paws firmly onto the pebbly bed of the river and advanced toward the shore inch by inch. When at last they came out onto the wet grass, the boy was out of breath but had saved his life. The little boy threw his arms around the neck of the loyal friend who had pulled him back from the edge of death and burst into tears. Yanık, for his part, shook himself proudly and, licking his master's face, confirmed that he was safe. True friendship lies hidden in the courage to lay down one's life without a second thought at the moment of danger. A friend in need is a friend indeed.