Loyalty

Loyalty – Story #878

The Kirthar mountain range, stretching over 270 kilometers, forms a natural border between Sindh and Balochistan. A section of this range ends just north of Karachi, while another part connects with the Brohi hills in the Khuzdar district of Balochistan. Among these majestic mountains, the tallest peak is known as Darhiaro Mountain, standing at an elevation of 7,000 feet above sea level. On this grand peak lies the grave of a loyal dog whose story has been remembered for generations.

Long ago, a young Brohi man was working at the summit of Darhiaro, digging a grave with his pickaxe. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, he had a look of deep sorrow on his face. After digging the grave, he opened a small sack he had brought with him and found his dog inside. The poor dog’s eyes were closed, and its body showed no sign of life. It had passed away.

The young man gently laid his loyal companion in the grave and began to place stones on top. A light rain fell as he put the last stone in place. Overwhelmed with grief, he cried out loudly, the sound echoing across the valleys and mountains. The young man spent the entire day mourning, and even when he returned home in the evening, peace and comfort eluded him. He kept remembering the joyful days spent with his loyal dog.

The young Brohi man lived in a small mountain village at the foot of Darhiaro. One day, while wandering in the mountains, he came across a young dog wandering alone. The little dog was beautiful, and the man decided to take it home. He cared for it deeply, and as time passed, the dog grew into a strong, loyal companion. The bond between the man and his dog strengthened over the years. Wherever the man went, the dog was always by his side. Their love and companionship became well-known throughout the valley.

There was a small shop in the village where the young man often purchased daily necessities. One year, rain failed to arrive, and the crops did not grow. Facing hardship, he asked the shopkeeper for supplies on credit for the entire year. After some thought, the shopkeeper agreed but asked him to leave the dog as collateral until the debt was repaid. Reluctantly, the young man agreed, whispering to his dog, “Be loyal to your new master. When I return after repaying the debt, come back to me.” The innocent dog’s eyes welled up with tears, sensing its master’s sadness, but it accepted the temporary separation.

Days turned into weeks. One night, thieves broke into the shop and stole valuables, cash, and goods. The dog, chained in the shop, barked loudly. The shopkeeper woke and freed the dog. The dog chased the thieves, cornered them by the river outside the village, and held them until villagers arrived with sticks and tools. The thieves fled, leaving everything behind.

Overjoyed, the shopkeeper realized the dog had “repaid” the debt with its bravery. He untied the dog, placing a note around its neck, instructing it to return to its original owner. The dog ran joyfully to its master’s home, leaping over rocks and obstacles. Meanwhile, the young Brohi man had harvested his crops, sold the grain, and arranged to repay the shopkeeper’s loan.

When the dog finally arrived, the young man initially thought it had escaped the shop, feeling shame and anger. “Ungrateful dog! You have humiliated me!” he cried. The dog followed its master, but he paid no attention. Overwhelmed by sorrow and realizing it would never be accepted, the dog collapsed on the slope and died.

The young man, burdened with grief and regret, placed the dog in a sack and carried it to Darhiaro’s summit, burying it in a grave. To this day, the grave of this loyal and courageous dog remains on the mountain peak, where strong winds blow throughout the year. Centuries have passed, yet the people of Sindh continue to remember and honor the story of this faithful dog.