A frightful experience

 
I had to walk through an area filled with undergrowth to get to the shop. It was not too
unpleasant except that I had to keep to the narrow footpath and not blunder into the bushes.

Buying some flour from the shop seemed harmless enough. The shop was the nearest one and
my mother reckoned I was old enough to run a simple errand for her.

Suddenly I heard a growl from within some bushes. A ferocious dog appeared in front of me
with its fangs bared. I froze. If it were to attack me I knew I could not fight it. I had heard that if
you keep still, a dog would not attack.

It worked. The dog came up to me and sniffed me all over, but it did not bite me. I trembled with
fear but dared not move.

After a while it lay down beside me. I thought it was safe to go, but the moment I moved a leg it
stood up and growled fiercely again. I was trapped! The dog would not let me move. What could
I do?

I waited in fear. As long as I remained still, I was all right, but how long could I stand there like
that? My feet were already feeling numb.

Then I had an idea. The shop was just a short distance away. I shouted "Help! Help!" with all my
might. The dog looked confused but did not attack me.

The shopkeeper heard my shouts and came to investigate. The dog, which was obviously his,
wagged its tail and folded back its ears. He quickly brought a chain and tied it to a post. I was so
relieved. The shopkeeper apologized and gave me a free packet of flour.

What a frightful experience it was. Anyway I never had anymore trouble with the dog. The
shopkeeper kept it tied up at all times.   
    
undergrowth Low-growing plants, saplings, and shrubs beneath trees in a
 
forest.
    
run errand a short journey either to take a message or to deliver or collect
 
something
    
ferocious  fierce and violent