Authors: Gerelchimeg Blackcrane
The four children drifted off to sleep, tucked up under heavy animal skins in the warmth of the yurt. They would have to wait until tomorrow to tell their classmates about their frightening ordeal. None of the herdsmen felt like sleeping, and instead they pottered around in the yurt all night. The older ones recalled the last snowstorm âthe cows frozen like lumps of stone, the felt as brittle as paper, and the black stallion who was born that night and had gone on to win first prize at the Naadam Fair.
They drank until their cheeks were flushed, and then the old man suggested they go out to take a look at the miraculous dog. By the time they shuffled outside, the snow had almost stopped, and only the tiniest flakes were falling from the dawn sky.
Despite being covered by a thick layer of snow and ice, Kelsang seemed impervious to the cold. But when he saw Han Ma, he jumped to his feet and shook himself off.
Such a magnificent dog, such beautiful long black fur shining a metallic blue in the dawn light. He was as sturdy as a bear, a full thirty-five inches tall, his legs as thick as tree trunks. He had a carefree look in his eyes as he sauntered toward Han Ma.
The herdsmen couldn't help but click their tongues in admiration.
Han Ma stroked Kelsang's head, just as he had done many times before, and then crouched down and put his arms around the mastiff's neck.
“Such a magical dog!” the old man gasped, lifting his glass of rice wine as if about to make a toast and then pouring it over Kelsang.
He started singing an old Mongolian folk song in honor of the handsome horse who had won first prize at Naadam Fair, and the other herdsmen joined in, one by one.
It was a bleak but powerful tune, and it cut through the silver snow of the day's first light and echoed across the grasslands.
Afterword
THE VAST EXPANSE
of the Hulun Buir grasslands.
If you ever have a chance to go there, walk deep into the grasslands. Just as you draw close to the camp that has been in the distance for some time, you'll be greeted by a crowd of large shepherd dogs barking loudly. Among these fierce dogs, you'll find a few whose barks are like thunder, whose tails are thick and curly, whose fur is so black it shines like a crow's wings.
Inside the yurts, the old herdsmen will tell you that among the dogs lying outside, the black ones are descended from a purebred Tibetan mastiff. A magnificent mastiff that once lived on these grasslands.
And, of course, if you go to the school in town, you'll be able to see the enormous black dog for yourself.
About the Publisher
Groundwood Books, established in 1978, is dedicated to the production of children's books for all ages, including fiction, picture books and non-fiction. We publish in Canada, the United States and Latin America. Our books aim to be of the highest possible quality in both language and illustration. Our primary focus has been on works by Canadians, though we sometimes also buy outstanding books from other countries.
Many of our books tell the stories of people whose voices are not always heard in this age of global publishing by media conglomerates. Books by the First Peoples of this hemisphere have always been a special interest, as have those of others who through circumstance have been marginalized and whose contribution to our society is not always visible. Since 1998 we have been publishing works by people of Latin American origin living in the Americas both in English and in Spanish under our Libros Tigrillo imprint.
We believe that by reflecting intensely individual experiences, our books are of universal interest. The fact that our authors are published around the world attests to this and to their quality. Even more important, our books are read and loved by children all over the globe.