In the land of Dogranada, there are many dogs. They are the official citizens of this lovely city. Perched on a hill, surrounded by luscious, green mountains and rich waterfalls that shine in the morning. Everything was normal until the Day of Honor; a day in which the council of Gods and Dogs present awards to distinguished individuals from different realms of the society that have contributed something to the world. The award of the Goodness was won by the Good Dog. He was names the Good Dog, as his parents have always longed to see him crowned by the Gods and Dogs, and thus they thought that naming him such would be the first step to make that dream a reality.
The Good Dog has won this prize after he saved a homeless cat who showed up on the water bank near the Diggity river. So on the anticipated day, the Good Dog dressed up in his best attire and headed for the Council up the mount of Dagromonte, where a feast was awaiting all the winners of such an award. The Good Dog climbed the steep hill, almost panting, and when he got there he was really happy and excited. He thought of his couple, the Bad Dog – he is called. Although he was called the Bad Dog he wasn’t bad, but his parents thought that life if full of absurdities, in a way that one day the Bad Dog will win the award of being a Good Dog, and thus break all categories. The Bad Dog, by his being, broke some categories, for he was gay. A Gay Bad Dog. The Good Dog pondered the life with the Bad Dog, especially after winning this prize, which will help him with propitiate the will of his parents.
After the anthem and a religious dance dedicated to the Gods and Dogs, the audience came to a venereal silence. The ceremony began by the god of the Gods and Dogs delivering his speech. It was emotional and quite lengthy, for he attempted to talk about many hot topics on the agenda since everyone was there already. So he talked about the Cat Migration, the Regulation of poop industry and future plans. There were 9 awards to be given, and the Good Dog award was the last. The ninth and last, and nine was a fortunate number. Each time the winner would be called to stage, receive the gift and take a picture with the council then go back to their seat.
Climbing the stage, the Good Dog felt so happy and excited. He looked back, just like actors from the movies do, and he saw his family and his partner smiling brightly at him. He could not be more grateful. When he got on stage and the god of the Gods and Dogs handed him the award of a metal plaque saying that he is [actually] the Good Dog, he was exhilarated. The god asked him, as the ritual dictates, for the gift he wants to be given. The Good Dog thought about that for an extra minute (although he has been thinking about this for a long time, almost every chance in his life that allowed him to choose his thoughts). He finally answered: “I want wings“.
Flying over the skies of Dogranada, with its abundant clouds that caressed his face, or the breeze from the sea that tickled his nose, he traveled a lot. But as soon as he gets home and meets his Bad Dog, he would feel a sense of remorse because his partner cannot see what he sees, nor experience what he is experiencing. In moment like these, when the language of Gods and Dogs has failed him to describe the beauty and the sensation he felt, the Good Dog wished he could cry. But he did not.
Troubled by this contradiction: by loving the breeze and hating the suffocation of a room with four wall. Loving his partner but hating that he cannot fly. One day the Good Dog, in his daily routine, flew over the Dagromonte mountain. He met the god of Gods and Dogs lying under the tree, enjoying the evening shade and tranquility. He approached him and saluted him. The god recognized his face and invited Good Dog to join him for a rest and some water from the spring nearby. The Good Dog was honored for such an invitation. Talking about the family bone refinery factory and the latest news from the neighboring republics, the Good Dog deemed it appropriate to ask him for his help. “dear god, I would like to tell you of my predicament, which has been occupying my mind and preventing me from sleep, preventing me from enjoying the bliss you have given me – my precious wings-. My love and only partner – the Bad Dog- does not have wings, nor does he have parents. His name is Bad Dog but he is not bad, not at all. He is a Good Dog, just like the way you and the rest of the Gods and Dogs have taught and preached. He is lonely and I need him by my side. What can I do?”
The god of Gods and Dogs pondered the matter for quite a while, and then he answered: “your request shall not pass unanswered my dear Good Dog, for you have shown splendid sport. You have a big heart and you have shared our spirit of giving and living to all over the world. You deserve an extra prize. I will give the Bad Dog- your Bad Dog- a gift. I will give him wings. But, beware, that this gift comes with a responsibility. You have to make sure to travel the world, to promote our message of peace, and to explore the world and brings us its news. You are allowed to go to every nook and cranny in this world, except for the Red Cueva across this hill. This is the place of the gods and only gods can go there. Thus you cannot fly above it nor discover it.” The Good Dog could not believe his ears. He was beyond happy and he could not hold himself from crying out- YES! thank you dear god of Dogs and Gods.
The next thing he found himself flying almost with a speed of light to the house of Bad Dog to tell him of the good news. He got to his house, flew and entered from the window only to see Bad Dog admiring his new fluffy, white wings. He flew to Good Dog and hugged him, almost squeezed him and twirled in an infinite dance of happiness.
The work was not hard, for they enjoyed traveling to all over the world. To explore and to try new thing together was a bliss. They thanked the god of Gods and Dogs almost everyday with the rise and the setting of the sun. Nevertheless, the thought that helped them endure the difficulties that faced them during these travels was only one thought of return. The return to Dogranada and its sunny days and amiable atmosphere. Empowered by this thought, they returned to Dogranada quite frequently until that ominous day has happened.
The Bad Dog told his partner, the Good Dog, that it was indeed curious that they cannot fly over the Red Cueva. I mean it was a marvelous construction that inspired awe by all its viewers, why cannot they visit it? The Good Dog maintained a calm attitude and said that they simply cannot, and they have to comply with the will of the god. The Good Dog never thought a lot about what he did not know. I mean sure he pondered existence and asked himself deep, philosophical questions, but he never made a leap to look beyond the wall and see what’s on the other side. The Bad Dog explained himself doggedly, driven by his insatiable sense of curiosity, that they should in fact visit the Red Cueva.
“Why did you ask him to give me wings, if I am not free to fly to where I want?” he screamed. “I didn’t ask for wings, you did not take my permission, for without complete freedom why would I want these wings?” The Good Dog leaning his head forward, thinking intently. He answered “my love, I only asked for wings so I can share my world with you. I wanted us to be together. Besides, why do you care about discovering the Red Cueva so much? You have read in all the folk tales and religious stories of our ancestors already about what happens to those who break their promise or break the law. Usually, driven by this innate sense of following the quest of knowledge, they breach the heavenly law, that is made to protect them, only to find themselves in a predicament of life and death. Why would you want to do that? We have to learn from the generations before and not commit stupidities on an impulsive, vague calling.”
The fire in the heart of Bad Dog has been quenched but only momentarily, for he soon made his decision that he is going to the Red Cueva, whether Good Dog likes it or not.
So on a sunny day, perfect for a swim or a hike, Bad Dog left the house. He also left a note on the kitchen table explaining his intention, his wishes, and his hopes. He left the house with a heavy heart and a dreamy eyes. Luckily [or unluckily?] that day, due to street congestion and overheat, Good Dog decided to go home earlier than usual. This has allowed him to see the note with an equally heavy heart. He jumped out of the house, started running, then he remembered that he can fly, so he starts flying towards the Red Cueva to prevent the love of his life from committing the greatest sin in the land of Gods and Dogs.
He saw Bad Dog flying in the distance, he approached him from behind, panting and calling repeatedly “wait!” but Bad Dog won’t listen, he was determined to commit to something in his life and make it happen. So he flew faster and faster.
It all happened so fast. He tried to recall that moment more than once, but all he is left with is a broken heart. Good Dog tried to catch Bad Dog, so he flew even faster, and by his agility inherited from his father, he caught up with him and pulled his wings. Bad Dog, yanked abruptly felt the world shaking, he lost balance, and the next thing he saw his wings not. It is to say that he could not see his wings, because they were torn away from him. His fall was fast, for even the Good Dog couldn’t catch up with him, for indeed gravity beat him this time. This will trouble Good Dog, for he will always think of ways to outrun the gravity. One only wonders whether he will come up with answers.
At the funeral, Good Dog was accompanied by the guards of his cell. They called him Good Dog, but he refused such appellation- he changed his name to Bad Dog in the memory of the love of his life. Looking at the grave, he said goodbye for one last time, then climbed the hill to reach the Red Cueva, where he serves his life sentence.
AICHA BINT YUSIF 