Introduction
The cat, wrote Nora Alleyne, has been the heroine of many extraordinary tales of homing instinct, yet other animals deserve a mention, such as the flock of sheep that repatriated themselves from Yorkshire to their breeding-ground north of the Cheviots. There are numerous stories of dogs, too, finding a way home in the face of overwhelming obstacles.
ONE of the most curious [tales] is told by an English officer who was in Paris in the year 1815. One day, as the officer was walking hastily over the bridge,* he was annoyed by a muddy poodle dog rubbing up against him, and dirtying his beautifully polished boots. Now dirty boots were his abhorrence, so he hastily looked round for a shoe-black, and seeing one at a little distance off, at once went up to him to have his boots re-blacked.
A few days later the officer was again crossing the bridge, when a second time the poodle brushed against him and spoilt his boots. Without thinking he made for the nearest shoe-black, just as he had done before, and went on his way; but when the same thing happened a third time, his suspicions were aroused, and he resolved to watch. In a few minutes he saw the dog run down to the riverside and roll himself in the mud, and then come back to the bridge and keep a sharp look-out for the first well-dressed man who would be likely to repay his trouble.
* The Pont Royal or Pont Henri Quatre, as we learn shortly.
Précis
One day in 1815, a Parisian poodle scampered over to an immaculately dressed Englishman, and muddied his shiny boots. The Englishman immediately enlisted a shoe-black’s assistance, only for the dog to catch him twice more. Suspecting some ruse, he retreated to the shadows, and sure enough soon saw the poodle deliberately roll in the mud before soaking another well-dressed passer-by. (60 / 60 words)
One day in 1815, a Parisian poodle scampered over to an immaculately dressed Englishman, and muddied his shiny boots. The Englishman immediately enlisted a shoe-black’s assistance, only for the dog to catch him twice more. Suspecting some ruse, he retreated to the shadows, and sure enough soon saw the poodle deliberately roll in the mud before soaking another well-dressed passer-by.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: despite, must, not, otherwise, ought, until, whereas, who.
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