Old Jehan, little Nello, and Patrasche, the great working dog of Flanders, lived happily together.
Their meals came from their little garden.
They had only a little money, which Jehan earned by delivering milk.
Every day, Jehan filled a little green cart with cans of milk from his neighbors.
He pulled the cart to Antwerp, where he sold the milk.
Jehan's neighbors knew he was an honest man.
They happily let him deliver their milk and collect the money for them.
But it was becoming hard work for the old man.
He was 83, and the town of Antwerp was three miles away.
Nello was too little to help, and every day, the trip took Jehan longer and longer.
When Patrasche was well again, he watched Jehan load the milk cans onto his cart.
Then he watched as Jehan started slowly down the road.
The next morning, Patrasche jumped up from his straw bed.
He went over to Jehan and pushed him happily with his nose.
"What are you doing, Patrasche?" the old man scolded playfully.
"Come on, out of my way.
I have to take this milk into town."
Patrasche walked over to the cart and barked.
Patrasche placed himself between the cart's handles and stood patiently.
He wanted to show Jehan that he could pull the cart.
Although Jehan understood, he resisted Patrasche's idea.
Jehan thought it was wrong to make dogs work like slaves.
Jehan tried to shoo him away, but Patrasche was stubborn.
He tried to pull the cart with his teeth and managed to move it a little.
Then he stood patiently again, as if to say,
"I am a strong dog, and I can help."
Eventually, Jehan smiled.
"You are a very persistent dog," he said, patting him.
Jehan understood that Patrasche was grateful.
He knew Patrasche wanted to repay him for everything he had done.
That evening, Jehan made a harness for Patrasche.
After that, Patrasche dutifully pulled the cart every morning.
The bells on his harness jingled as he walked.
Whenever Jehan tried to help, Patrasche barked.
It was as if he were saying,
"It is my job, and I will do my duty."
Sadly, Jehan grew weaker.
When the winter came, he was thankful for Patrasche's help.
Snow and mud covered the road.
Without Patrasche, he would not have been able to deliver the milk through the cold.
But for Patrasche, the work seemed like heaven.
It was fun to pull the bright green cart with its shiny brass milk cans.
No one whipped him.
Instead, the kind old man walked beside him, often giving him a gentle pat.
Besides, Patrasche finished his work by early afternoon.
Then he was free to do as he wished─to stretch, to sleep in the sun, to wander in the fields, or to play with other dogs.
Patrasche was happiest of all when he played with Nello.
Nello and Patrasche were best friends.
In fact, they were very similar.
They were both orphans, and Jehan had looked after them both and saved their lives.
Since Patrasche first arrived at the little hut, the friendship between the boy and the dog had strengthened every day.
They played together every afternoon and loved each other greatly.
The big dog and little Nello were never long apart.