Once there was a little puppy named Ryzhyk. He was fluffy and ginger, with tiny paws and a happy tail.
One morning, Ryzhyk saw the big dogs. They were pulling a sled full of logs. Woof! Woof! They were so strong!
"I want to be strong, too!" said Ryzhyk.
He ran to a big log. He tugged with his paws—no, he couldn't lift it. He tried again—the log was too big.
Ryzhyk sat down and cried a little.
An old dog named Sirko came over.
"Why are you sad, little one?"
"I'm not strong," said Ryzhyk. "I can't lift the log."
Sirko smiled.
"Try lifting something else."
Ryzhyk looked around. He saw a tiny stick. He picked it up in his teeth—yes! He lifted it!
Then he found a ball. He pushed it with his nose—it rolled!
Then Ryzhyk saw a little girl. She had fallen and was crying. Ryzhyk ran up and licked her hand. The little girl laughed!
"You are so kind!" she said, and she petted him.
Then Ryzhyk found a lost shoe in the grass. He carried it to his mama. She was so happy!
"What a clever puppy you are, Ryzhyk!"
That evening, all the dogs gathered. The big dogs told how they pulled the logs.
But Ryzhyk told how he helped the little girl and his mama. How he carried the stick and the ball.
Sirko said, "Every dog can do something special. Big or small doesn't matter. The important thing is to do it."
The big dogs nodded. One of them said, "I couldn't get the bone from under the bench today. I was too big."
Everyone laughed.
"Ryzhyk, can you get it?" the dog asked.
Ryzhyk ran to the bench. He wiggled under it—there was the bone! He pulled it out.
"Hooray!" woofed all the dogs.
The big dog patted Ryzhyk with his paw.
"You are strong, too. In your own way."
Ryzhyk jumped with joy. His tail wagged and wagged.
That night, Ryzhyk lay beside his mama. He was tired but very happy.
Mama licked his ear.
Ryzhyk closed his eyes and began to snore. He dreamed of helping everyone—big and small.
Above his doghouse, the stars were shining. A quiet night wrapped around the yard.