“Jasper,” cried Harri and Oli virtually at the same time running into the meadow and kneeling beside their old friend, both children’s were already crying and stroking the shaggy old dog as he lay in the grass.
“Is he dead?” said Oli.
“No, look he’s breathing,” said Harri.
While the two moose walked across with the younger children, the brother and sister sat comforting the old dog who had been their friend since they were young children. Since the first day that they arrived in Finland from England he had been a constant companion.
A large scruffy cross, somewhere between a lurcher and golden retriever, Jasper had been friends to generations of little children as they had been taken by Claudia for adventures in the forest.
“Quickly Claudia we have to do something Jasper is hurt, what happened to him he was standing next to us one minute and now this,” said Harri.
“I don’t know Harriet I didn’t see him go but he is a brave old dog and would always fight to protect you even though he is too old, I think he just couldn’t help trying to protect you and your brother. This time though the wolves have got the better of him and he has been trampled by charging moose, he really should have known what moose are like,” said Claudia.
“What should we do, we have got to help him, ” said Oli.
The children were trying to dab the blood seeping from fresh wounds on the side of his head and trying their best to comfort him. Slowly he opened his eyes and lay quite still looking at the two young children. By now both children were very upset but trying their best to care for their neighbours dog.
“Come on children, move out of the way,” said a voice behind them.
As they and their moose companions turned, they saw Pekka the old woodsman standing behind them in the meadow.
“Pekka what are you doing here,” said Oli.
“I haven’t been too far away, this was something the moose king had to deal with himself but I have been nearby just in case there was anything I could do,” said Pekka
“Quickly Pekka we must do something, Jasper is really poorly he can’t get up. The wolves have attacked him and the clumsy old moose have trampled all over him, ” said Harri.
The old man knelt down and placed his hand on Jaspers side seeming to sooth the old dog, he leaned forward and whispered something in his ear. Only Oli managed to hear what was he said. ‘It’s time old friend’
“It’s time for what,” said Oli getting more upset by the second.
“Try not to get too upset children, Jasper is an old dog who has had many wonderful adventures with young friends here in the meadow. His days of running about the forest chasing bears and fighting wolves are over now,” said pekka.
“He must come home with us Pekka, you must bring him and we will make him better,” said Harri
“I can’t Harriet,” said Pekka. “only those who entered through Aku’s house can leave the forest and Jasper cant walk through on his own and you can’t carry him. No, he will come to my house and spend his days in front of my fire eating my wifes stew. My mind is made up, Claudia take these children back its time they got home to their families. No one will think it strange, many times before Jasper has disappeared into the forest for weeks on end, this time he just wont be coming back.”
Then slowly and carefully the big strong woodsman lifted his old friend in his arms and laid him across the back of the king moose who turned and with Pekka at his side set off across the meadow leaving Claudia and the four children standing where they had begun their adventure just few days earlier.
Before they had gone no more than a few yards though there was that familiar loud piercing woof, as Jasper had rallied all of his strength to call for his friends just one more time. Harriet and Oliver ran across to him, petting and loving the old dog saying their last goodbye to him. Claudia was the last to leave him licking the old dog affectionately with her huge slavery slobbering tongue.
Soon the children were back at Aku’s house passing through its doors taking them into their back garden, nothing had changed. It really did seem as if it had been only minutes since they left.
Harriet and Oliver rushed up the garden back to their parents and the party they had left behind days earlier. Soon the family would be back in England with adventures in the forest over forever but for now Harri and Oli were happy. They had helped the King of the forest regain his authority and deal with the troublesome wolves and bears.
More importantly though, their best friend jasper was safe and would hopefully enjoy his remaining time living with Pekka and his wife in their lovely cabin in the forest.
The End
