CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION
February 9, 1091
The story you are reading is written by one of Sonata's master. Perhaps you will know who I am at the end of the story. Anyway, that's not important. This story is about our dear Sonata's life.
Our Father, Pop, as we called him, had a train accident and died when I was young, so poor Mother had to work harder in order to provide food and clothing for the starving family. There's Saima, the oldest sister, then Nico, Richard and Rachel, this two are twins, they always stick together and speak at the same time, so we call them Ri-chel. Then there's Nancy, the youngest. Our dear Mother worked as an artist, and she would draw our favorite things in our birthday cards. I received a drawing of Sydney last year, and this year, I got a map of Australia with cute little pictures in it. Beside the map there's a question. It says:
I have trees but no leaves,
and I have lakes but no water in it.
What am I?
It's very obvious, the answer is MAP.
Yesterday, our house was robbed in the middle of the night. Mother was extremely upset and cried, because Pop's portrait was stolen too. We were upset as well, and Nancy cried for hours. Our belongings were gone, so Saima was very angry. We must wear our pajamas for days, for Mother does not have enough money for those things.
When we were alone in our bedroom, Saima called a meeting. We always do that when we're alone, discussing how to improve our lives.
Saima said, "We must cheer Mother up, dear brothers and sisters."
"We must think of a plan to protect our house from robbers." Nico said, rubbing his chin.
"But HOW?" came a boy-mix-girl-voice.
"Think, Ri-chel, THINK!"
We were quiet for some times, until Rachel whispered something into her twin's ear.
"We got it!" They chanted together, "Adopt a dog!"
"Yeah, like in the game "Adopt Me"." Nancy added in her sweet, soft, charming voice.
"Oh yea? Great idea, but not enough money." Saima grumbled.
"If we add our money together, there will be enough money" Chorused Richard and Rachel.
I thought it's a nice idea, and everyone agreed. The twins were pleased.
CHAPTER TWO: THE ARRIVAL OF SONATA
February 10, 1091
The next day, we poured our money box on the playroom floor, and counted them one by one carefully.
"1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7..Finished? Aw, 7 shillings will never do!" wailed Nico.
"We'll borrow a dog then!" sang the twins, "from Mr. Morgan!"
Mr. Peter Morgan was their friendly neighbor. He ran a pet shop in Victoria Lane. Nico volunteered to go to Mr. Morgan's place and promised he will not be greedy and selfish to choose a expensive breed. Off he went, straight to Morgan's Marvelous Shop.
"Hello, Mr. Morgan!"
"Yo! Natty Nico in my shop! Now, boy, how can I help you?" smiled Mr. Morgan kindly, his face screwing up when he smiled widely.
Nico explained to Mr. Morgan what happened yesterday night, how the twins thought of a plan, "So please, Mr. Morgan, would you mind lending us one of your dog? Please?" The boy pleaded.
"Why not? Follow me-e-e!!" sang Mr. Morgan.
The kind old man showed Nico to the pet room and there he saw a lots of cute doggies. "May I ask, Mr. Morgan, which one is best for a guard dog?" Asked Nico politely. Morgan introduced Nico to a young, female but protective German Shepherd, Sonata.
"Sonata is eight months old, almost nine, and he can do all kind of tricks! Watch!" Mr. Morgan turned to the staring dog and commanded him, "SIT! Sit, Sonata, Sit, for a nice little treat!" and waved a biscuit in front of him. Sonata obediently sat down and gobbled up the biscuit his master threw for him. "Good Girl." whispered Nico.
"Do you like Sonata? Would you like to have her?"
"Yes!!! Yes please, Mr. Morgan PLEASE! I will pay you when I got the money!"
"Tut! Tut! It's free, Nico, have a nice day!" said Morgan kindly, and away Nico went.
All my brothers and sisters were very excited when Nico returned home. The Twins took Sonata out and stroked him, patted him, and kissed him. Sonata was shy, but soon he began to jump and leap around us. Mother was surprised, but pleased with the twins, she promised she will make time to create a cardboard kennel for Sonata. We were very glad the twins thought of this plan, because Mother was never so happy since Father's accident.
CHAPTER 3: SONATA DISCOVERED THE THIEF
Sonata was nervous when she arrived in our house. She hid under the crumpled sofa whenever someone come towards her. Fortunately, after several weeks later, Sonata got familiar with us and allowed herself to be carried, fed, and scratched. Mother cheered up a lot while Sonata was with us. She soon forgot that our house was robbed, so everything was fine.
One scorching afternoon, I was playing with Sonata in the little garden in front of our cottage, when the little German Shepherd began to sniff round and round the rotting gate. "What's up?" I asked her. Sonata barked sharply, began to growl... Then suddenly she pranced up to a lilac bush beside us and I heard someone squealed.
"Let go, you brute, let go of my arm!" the Voice yelled. I was alarmed! Sonata pulled someone from the bush to me and set a paw on the man.
"Who are you?" I asked with a kick on his bottom, "Why are you spying on me?" The man rolled with terror, but I held him tight.
"None of your business!" he hissed, "Let go! Your hands are filthy and wet with dog fur and saliva!"
"Why are you spying on me? Who are you?" I'm much too scared, so I decided not to pinch his arm.
I got him to stand up and walked him to our living room. Mother was free and she was making tea in the kitchen. "Mother! MO-THER!" I called, "I found a man spying me and Sonata in the garden!" Mother rushed out, leaving her warm coffee on the table.
"My, my, what a surprise! Thomas Higgs! Didn't I tell you not to come near me ever again? Didn't you solemnly promised my husband that you will try not to do bad deeds?" After she said it she cried bitterly.
"Mother!" I cried, as the others leave their game and came tumbling down the stairs, "You know this man? How do you know he's the thief who robbed our house?"
"Why, ducky-love, Yes! He's our gardener when you're such a little baby. " Mother wept, "He stole our bank card, and your Pop was furious with him. He sent the theif away, of course, and Pop forced him to promise he won't steal again."
I sighed. Meanwhile, Sonata trotted into the room and dropped something on the floor. "Frank's ring! You stole Frank's ring, too! You know what, Thomas? I going to send you to the police station until you're safely behind the bars!" I never saw Mother so angry in my life. "Saima love, will you do me a favor and ring up the police?" I nodded (Have you guessed who's the writer? Me, Saima, of course!). "RI-CHEL AND NICO! COME HERE AND HELP ME TO KEEP THE THIEF ON THE SOFA!" Mother ordered.
I snatched my bike and swung my legs furiously round and round the pedals. Soon I reached the village police station. A police officer, Sir Rafael, whom we knew very well, was pacing back and forth in front of the door. I ran to him and explained quickly what happened, and he at once ordered a police car to be prepared in 1 minute. Sir Rafael invited me to ride with him in the police car and we set off in a blazing speed. Mother was uneasy and restless until the police arrived, and she scolded the sly thief a great deal when he was behind the cold, damp bars...
CHAPTER 4: MARYBELLE'S SAD STORY
Some weeks after we discovered the thief, Mother was please because she sold seven paintings in two days. She gave us some nickels and sent us off to the beach. We skipped along, holding each others' hands joyfully. About fifteen minutes later, we arrived at the glorious beach!! Everyone there were bathing, playing, and burying their fathers. Then I noticed someone walking miserably behind us.
"Marybelle!" I called to the sad, sad girl, "Oh, Do you remember me? Do you?"
The dirty girl nodded heavily and sighed, "Yes, of course.. You're Saima of the Shallow River." She managed to show a weak smile.
"Why are you so miserable? Aren't you happy to meet us?" Nico asked.
Marybelle sniffled, "Well.. w-well.. I guess I'm gonna explain what happened now..." Marybelle began to tell her story, "My mother died when my sister was several months old, as you know, Saima, so Daddy took care of us. L-last year, m-m-my Daddy took me and A-A-- Annabelle, my sister, to a hotel c-called Chalet. We had fun there until... ACHOO! ACHOO! A-A-A....CHOOOOO! Sorry!"
I passed her a handkerchief and she continued the story, "Thank you Saima... You're kind... Where am I just now? Oh yes.. We had fun at the Hotel until Daddy received a message from a bank.. Telling him.." Then Marybelle burst into tears, "The horrible message told him... He-....He is under arrest because of stealing the b-bank... Few minutes later five police cars were parked beside our car and Daddy was arrested! A police officer took me and Annabelle to a nursery where a mean nurse cared for us. We never had good, healthy food and soft beds since Daddy got arrested. We visited Dad twice a week and every time we visit him, he said the polices will come and beat him each day until he told them where the stolen money were... But he has no idea about it!"
She stopped for a while and blew her nose noisily on the big purple handkerchief, "Brrrrrrrrrrr!! The last time we visited him, we saw him being smacked and jabbed ruthlessly by a spiky, metal stick. He was bleeding and crying out for mercy, but no one listened to him. Annabelle ran away but I couldn't leave my dearest Daddy alone! I can't stand it any longer any longer, so I ran away too. When I go back to the prison room, my Daddy's prison was empty. In a dark corner lies my father, unconscious. A cleaner came to me a told me, 'Your Dada is dead, go back home.' I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY EARS. Dad don't even know where the stolen money was! That day my father died, my innocent, hardworking, honest father, died."
She stopped and ran off, leaving us staring into each other blankly. Such a sad, hard life... Poor Marybelle and Annabelle!
"We must find Marybelle and her sister a good, caring home. No matter what!" I announced, and others vowed to help Marybelle, too.
CHAPTER 5: A NEW FATHER, SEBASTIAN
We hanged around the beach till the afternoon. Nancy ate hundreds of ice-sticks. The twins stuffed themselves with CheezyRing Snacks. Sonata galloped around, seizing each and everyone's feet, and licked some leftovers given by kind souls. How the greedy pup enjoy the fuss about him! People stroked, patted, and tickled her fur. I bathed all morning with Nico, with Nancy digging around, building sandcastles.
Soon it was lunch time. We went home, chattering and clattering nonstop about our joyful morning. We gobbled up our lunch eagerly, slurping the delicious tomato soup cooked with Mother's love and care. BURP! I'm quite full! We waited for young Nancy to finish her boiled potato. Once she had finished, we held another meeting in the nursery, this time, it's not about our own lives, but poor Marybelle.
"So.. Do you guys have some ideas?" I said, taking charge of the meeting.
"Ideas about what?" Asked Richard, who never paid attention to anything.
"Ideas about improvements for the Belle Sisters, stupid!" Nico snapped, tired of Richard.
"Don't be angry, Nic, He's just asking!" protested Richard's twin sister.
"You three better not start a fight in here!" I warned.
"Nah, You Stupid, why do I have to listen to you? Espe..." Nico stopped because Mother suddenly popped her head excitedly behind the door, "Darlings! You know what?"
"I wonder if anyone heard of knocking!" I said, "Never mind, Mum, Whassup?"
"Well, sorry for disturbing y'all, loves, but listen! I got a letter from a young man called Sebastian Clarke, asking me if I would marry him! So, duckies, what do ya think?" Mother announced, waving a yellow letter in front of us.
We tilted our heads, and Sonata put up a paw as if she don't understand. "Oh well. It's like this." Mother explained, discouraged by our puzzled faces, "Sebastian is a strong, hardworking, courageous young Christian man, who attended me and your Father's wedding. When he talked to me, I noticed his voice sounded exactly like my Father, who is your Grandpapa's voice. And what's more, He had my brother Justin's face. He often sent me letters, telling me funny stories and jokes. When your Pops died, he donated us 5 million dollars! At the funeral, he told me he would be flying to Egypt to make a irrigation project. He went for 14 years and returned last week. Today he sent me a letter and asked me if I would marry me!"
Our expressions brighten at the thought of having a new Father and agreed with Mother that he would make a good father. Sonata nodded her brown head in agreement, making us laugh.
A few days later, the wedding ceremony occurred. Uncle Mike and Aunt Barbara, Uncle Adrian, Aunt Doris, Cousin Peter, and many other relatives attended the delightful wedding. Mother looked beautiful, charming, and so much younger in her wedding gown. As for our new father, he certainly looked very kind and strong. Mother and Father were a pair! Holding each other's hand, they approached to us.
"Darlings, meet your new father!" Mother smiled.
We said hello happily and invite the new Daddy to eat with us. What a glorious feast! Hams, carrots, mushroom soup, and so on. Father joked with us, pretending he was a monster, with carrots in his eyes and two broccolis for the monster's ear. How we laughed! We returned home at the evening, riding in Father's red Rolls-Royce.
CHAPTER 6: NEW SISTERS -- AND A FRIEND FOR SONATA
The following morning, as the sun lazily rose up the purplish-blue sky, I leaped out of bed. Arghh! Wait!! Why is my bed suddenly so high! Erm...? What happened to my bedroom? Our old humble bedroom turned into a merry, bright room! My bed with the ragged bedcover turned into a princess's pinkish bunk bed! Below me, Nancy slept peacefully. Richard and Rachel snored softly beside me, on the other bunk bed. Nico was nowhere to be seen, because his bed, a prince's bed, was empty. I carefully climbed down the ladder of my bunk bed and ran outside.
Outside our bedroom, there's a corridor leading to another bedroom, probably Mother and Father's. The corridor continued forward, going to a spiral staircase. I went down and found myself in a beautiful sitting room, garnished by some flowers and tons of rugs. There's also three frame with cute little paintings. I walked on, and discovered a washroom, an opening to the garage, and the kitchen! Father, Mother and Nico sat on three little stools, munching at some peanut butter sandwiches. Sonata snored lazily beside the sink and her ears perked up as I stroke her smooth fur.
"Morning, Saima!" Father called, "Want some coffee? Juice? Or chocolate drink?"
"Morning, Dear, sit down and let me get you some breakfast." Mother smiled, rising up from her chair, "Would you like peanut butter, butter, or strawberry jam?"
"Morning, Dad. Morning, Mom. Morning, Nico. I would like a strawberry jam and a cup of apple juice, please!" I said, plopping myself down on an orange stool. "What happened to our bedroom, Mother? Did you and Father moved our house?" I asked.
Mother made no reply, so new Father said, "This is my house, and we carried you five children to this house last night. My scullery maid left last week when I return to London, so I decided you guys can sleep there." "It's quite big, isn't it?" He added, grinning at Mother. Mother placed my breakfast down the table, and I said grace and began to eat.
"Tomorrow will be Sunday and we will go to a new church to worship." Mother told me, "It's called St. Paul Methodist Church. Oh! Goody Morny, Richard! Where's Rachel?" Richard suddenly show up at the kitchen door. Sonata leaped up at once. She liked Richard the most, who knows why.
"Mornin' Everyone! Rachel won't wake up." He said, pushing Sonata down his shoulders. Mother gave him a butter bun; she knew it's his favorite. But alas! The butter bun slipped down Richard's hand when he hold it up, because it's very oily. "Ooooooooooops! Sorry!" Richard the Tomato bent down and began to crawl on all fours under the table. "Where's the bun? It's not under here!"
"It's up here!" Father laughed, waving the butter bun under the table, "Come and get it!" But when Richard crawl up to father, he threw it under the table again. Richard groaned. He picked it up himself, said his prayer, and started munching his bun. Later Rachel and Nancy came to join us in our breakfast.
After a healthy, delicious breakfast, I called for a meeting. "Dear Ladeez and Gentlemen! Welcome to our meeting!" I annouced. Everyone cheered. Then I started to call out names and they should raise their hands or say "At Present".
"Nico Andrews!" I shouted. A hand shot up. Good. "Richard!" "Rachel!" "Nancy!" Lastly, there Sonata. " Sonata!" A couple of barks echoed around the room. "One bark only pleaz, Sonata!" Giggled Nancy.
"So everyone's here, mhm? Let's begin our meeting. Take your seat, grab some biscuits and drinks!" I said, "This meeting today is about the Belle Sisters. Our last meeting was disturbed by the glorious news of a new father." I stopped and felt a lump in my throat. The thought of my real Father make me sad. I gulped then sniffled. "We must think of a way to help them, any ideas?" I continued. A hand shot up once more.
"Me, me please, Miz Andrews!" Nico said, "Get them to Mrs. Fredico, our neighbor's house! Mrs. Fedico would lik--" Rows of barks came out from the kitchen.
"My Goodness! Sonata's mad! I promise to give five million dollars to people who teach Sonata to bark softly!" Richard gasped, covering his ears tightly.
Sonata rushed into our meeting room, holding a old bracelet. I went to her and took the dirty, smelly bracelet and noticed words on it:
M-A-R-Y-B-E-L-L-E
What's this? Marybelle? Marybelle! Marybelle! MY friend's bracelet!
"Where's did you get it, Sonata?" Asked Nico, taking the bracelet from her mouth. Sonata raced out to the living room where father kept his working supplies. The little German Shepherd nosed through the tools and picked up a new, brown bag.
"Well? I can see this bracelet is founded by Father." I said.
"Let's fetch Father over! He'll know if it belongs to our friend. " said Richard and Rachel. So Nancy went to bring Father here, and when Father saw this bracelet, he burst out in excitement.
"Marybelle! She's my niece. Such a nice darling she is! But unfortunately, her father had died a week or more..." Sebastian sighed. I glanced up at Mother. To my surprise, she began to move restlessly on her chair!
"Do you guys think we can adopt them? We've got enough money now, and I hate seeing poor children wandering on the streets homelessly" she said. Father nodded solemnly and everyone at the table agreed with her. Mother, with our encouraging supports, made up her mind to fetch Marybelle and her sister from the nursery. Nico went with her because he had already finished his morning chores.
Half an hour later, Sonata trotted into the room and gave a short, sharp bark. Then she started pulling my pants as if she wanted me to follow her.
"What's wrong, girl? Want a walk?" Rachel spoke adoringly to Sonata. Wow. Brilliant. This is the first time I heard Rachel talk herself instead of talking together with her twin!
Sonata tugged at Rachel, so she went down with the little dog. I went down along, curious to find out what's happening. And... At the door stood Marybelle and Annabelle!
"Welcome Marybelle! Welcome, Annabelle! Welcome to our house!" I greeted them. Whoo! Our family's got two new members!
🐕🦺 To Be Continued... 🐕🦺
