He laughed politely but thought, If you only knew. He ran out the front door and down the rocky driveway. The setting sun’s rays shone on the leaves of the green hedge trees across the road, turning them to gold. The air was calm. Dusk brought a refreshing coolness from the hot late-August day.

Squeak sat on the fox den, holding the white daisy Benjamin had had in his pocket that morning. He didn’t say anything as the boy walked up to the entrance, sticks standing at attention. The mouse just bowed and let the boy pass through.

The walls of the cave’s tunnel were coated with more lightning bugs than ever. Benjamin didn’t hear any voices as he got closer to the hall and wondered if anybody was there. He walked quickly but hesitated a little at the last corner. He peeked around and saw every animal of the kingdom (some that he’d never seen before) staring at him. They stood in a large circle with the natural spring pool in the middle. It glistened from the trickling streams that poured from above. The sunset cast a lovely, soft, orange and pink glow through the hole in the ceiling. Behind the pool was the king’s throne, which had sat empty since the death of his dog, Pugsly. Benjamin stood looking at them.

“Hail, King Benjamin!” the old badger said with dignity.

The animals responded in unison, “Hail, King Benjamin!”

Benjamin went to the throne and sat down. It felt comfortable, almost like he belonged there. It was peaceful in the kingdom, all because of the actions of the little dog they were honoring.

“Tonight we remember Paco,” Abigail proclaimed, “who gave his life to fulfill a promise he made to me and my children.” There were sounds of sobbing all around the crowded circle. “All of us have our own memories of our dear friend. Let us honor him for the rest of our days by sharing them often and with joy. Paco lived a life that honored King Pugsly, and then King Benjamin, faithful to the end for the cause of our kingdom’s peace.” Benjamin started to cry. He felt so much a part of the animals and their lost loved one. “Goodbye, Paco–”

“Paco the Brave,” Roscoe sniffed, struggling to get the words out.

The field mouse smiled peacefully and closed her eyes.

“To Paco the Brave!”

“Paco the Brave!” the animals shouted. In a long moment of silence the animals recollected the special times they’d shared with the old rat-terrier. Some had known him all their lives, some only recently. But it seemed he had always been there. Squeak left his spot in the circle and walked to the round pool. He gave the daisy a little kiss and tossed it into the spring.

“I’ll never forget you,” he said quietly.