Jack and Oscar by Zoe Kelly Illustrated by Penny Hsia
Words: Zoe Kelly Illustrations: Penny Hsia Design: Mario Olmos
Jack was a good dog. He was brown with short legs, a round belly, and floppy ears. He lived in a nice house on a quiet street with other nice houses.
There were many trees along the street close to his house. He liked to look out the window and watch the children play on the trees in the afternoon. He ate the same thing everyday and he always took a walk on the street after lunch. Jack liked his street, but he was lonely. He didn’t have any friends.
One night there was a big rainstorm with strong winds. Jack’s quiet street wasn’t quiet that night. There was lightening and loud thunder. Jack was afraid.
The next day Jack looked outside and saw something moving. It was all white. “What could it be?,” he thought. He went out to get a closer look. As he got near, he saw that it had big orange feet, skinny orange legs, a white body, and a long neck with a small head on top. Its mouth was big and orange and it had tiny black eyes. “What a funny looking animal,” he thought.
“Hello, where is the farm?,” it asked. Jack had never heard of the farm. “What is the farm,” he asked. “Why, the farm is my home,” it said. “The farm is the best place in the world. There is a lot of food, a pond to swim in, and all of my friends live there too.” Suddenly the funny looking thing was very sad. “I think I’m really lost,” it said.
Jack felt bad. He wanted to help. “Don’t be sad,” he said. “I’ll help you find the farm, but first tell me your name.” “My name is Oscar, Oscar the duck.” “Nice to meet you Oscar,” said Jack. “I’m Jack, Jack the dog.” “Nice to meet you Jack,” said Oscar. Oscar was very tired. He hadn’t slept at all. He was flying when the storm came and a big wind took him far away. When the wind put him down, he was in Jack’s yard. Now he was very hungry. Jack took Oscar to his house. “Eat some food,” said Jack.
While Oscar ate, he told Jack about the farm. A long dirt road went to the farm. On the farm there were lots of trees and grass. Oscar and his friends lived in a big red barn. Oscar’s friends were Jeremy the pig and Lucy the cat. Sometimes Oscar would play with Jeremy in the mud and sometimes he would help Lucy find mice, but Oscar liked to swim in the pond best.
Jack said he would help Oscar find the farm the next day. After Oscar ate, he went to sleep for a long time. While Oscar slept, Jack got a bag. Then he filled the bag with things to bring on the way to the farm. He got food to eat, water to drink, and a flashlight to light the way.
In the morning Jack and Oscar took the bag and left the house. They walked through the yard and past the trees where the children played. They walked by the school where the children studied. Then they crossed the street to the other side where there was a store. Jack had never been so far away from home.
Jack and Oscar continued walking. Finally they reached the edge of town. Now all they saw were green hills covered in grass, trees, and fences. They also saw a long dirt road.
“It’s getting dark,” said Jack. “Can we stop for the night?” Oscar said yes, so they found a pretty tree and made a bed under it. Jack was cold and afraid. He missed his nice house on the quiet street where the children played in the trees, but he couldn’t go back now. He had to help Oscar get home. He took the flashlight out of the bag, turned it on, and held it close to his body. The light made him feel warm and he felt better. After a while, he went to sleep. When it got light, Jack and Oscar started walking down the long dirt road. Along the road there was a long white fence. Soon they met a cow eating grass by the fence.
“Excuse me Mrs. Cow, could you tell us the way to the farm?,” asked Oscar. “Yes,” said the cow. “To get to the farm go over the next hill and keep walking until you see the big tree. Don’t worry, you will get there soon.”
Jack and Oscar kept walking. Jack’s short legs hurt. He didn’t know how much longer he could walk. Then they reached the big tree. Oscar saw the top of the big red barn and he was so happy he let out a loud, “Quack.”
Soon Jeremy and Lucy came running down the road. “Oscar,” they both yelled together, “where have you been?” Oscar told Jeremy and Lucy about how the storm put him down in Jack’s yard and how Jack helped him find his way back home.
Jeremy and Lucy took Oscar and Jack to the barn.They ate and then they went to sleep in the warm, yellow hay.
The next day Jack played in the mud with Oscar and Jeremy, helped Lucy find mice, and watched Oscar swim on the pond. Jack was having fun with his new friends. Then he remembered that he didn’t live at the farm and he was sad.
“Why are you sad,” asked Oscar. “I like my nice house on the quiet street, but I don’t have any friends there,” said Jack. “I wish I could live in a place like this.” “Well, you can,” said Oscar. “What?,” asked Jack. “Stay here and live with us,” said Oscar.
Jack was so happy he let out a big, “Ruff ”.
Now he lives on the farm with his friends, Oscar the duck, Jeremy the pig, and Lucy the cat.