The Adventures of a South Pole Pig

by Chris Kurtz

  The captain still walked with a cane, but he was in charge again as he called out orders and directed the action. The lifeboat began taking men and dogs to the ship.

  Flora’s feelings were all jumbled and confused. She wasn’t sure what to think now that they were rescued. She wasn’t sure she should be celebrating like the men and dogs around her. Her future seemed uncertain.

  She turned to find a friend and almost stumbled over Sophia, who was also not celebrating. Flora found it hard to push the words over the lump in her throat. “What happens now?”

  Sophia didn’t answer at first. “We animals don’t get to decide, at least not usually,” she said, and almost smiled. “Well, anyway, we’re back to depending on the kindness of people and trusting they get it right. Hopefully Aleric and the cap - tain will remember us once all of this excitement dies down.”

  Flora took a deep breath. “Remind me to tell you about a cat friend I had when I was a piglet who always said that nine lives were a state of mind. Whatever happens will be an adventure, right?”

  “That’s for sure.” Sophia licked her whiskers. “Whatever happens, I’m sticking with you.”

  Oscar walked up. He seemed relaxed and confident. “You two ready to go?”

  Flora didn’t know what to say, and Sophia just stared straight ahead, her tail sweeping slowly back and forth on the snow.

  “Come on, guys. Don’t worry. I heard the captain giving a couple of special orders,” said Oscar. “I think you’re going to feel at home on this ship.”

  “Do they have a rat problem?” Flora asked hopefully.

  “All ships have a rat problem,” said Oscar, “but that’s not what I’m talking about.”

  “Then what do you mean?” asked Flora.

  “Rule number one hundred: Let your friends figure things out for themselves sometimes. You’ll see.” Just then, Aleric came over, picked up Sophia, and motioned for Flora to follow. He guided them toward the boat, calling for Oscar.

  “Come on, everyone. No one gets left behind this time,” he said.

  Sophia hopped into the lifeboat first. Then Aleric helped Flora and Oscar climb aboard. In a few moments, the Undefeated’s bright white sides towered above the small craft. A large box was lowered down with ropes. Oscar was lifted into the box, which was hauled upward until Flora couldn’t see him any longer. The box came down again.

  “Your turn, pig,” said Aleric.

  Flora put her front hooves on the side of the box, and Aleric lifted her in. Sophia hopped in beside her.

  Up and up went the box in a jerky, unsteady motion. Flora spread out her feet as far as possible to keep from falling. Sophia jumped onto the ship as soon as she could. Strong hands helped Flora onto the deck, and she looked around.

  This was a step up from the Explorer!

  The Undefeated was bigger and newer, and it smelled of fresh paint. Even the sailors’ shouts and the pounding of their boots were louder to Flora’s ears. After all that time in the soft snow, it felt strange to be walking on a smooth surface again. Flora looked around for the door that led to the ship’s hold. But Oscar walked up and steered them, instead, to the front of the ship.

  They passed rows of sturdy sled-dog crates with new, soft blankets inside. Flora felt the old pang of jealousy return. She took a breath and lifted her face to the pale blue sky above. A few delicate white clouds were spread out above the horizon.

  Flora suddenly regretted that she hadn’t taken more time to notice the sky during her time on land. The hold was going to be awfully dark. Right now the sky seemed the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. She tried to capture it in her mind for later...

  Bang! A sailor clomped by, and Flora jumped.

  “Pick up the pace or get out of the way!” Oscar called.

  “Come on, Flora,” Sophia said.

  Flora trotted up to her friends. The very first two crates had been given a new coat of light blue paint. Over the door of one, a sign read LEAD DOG.

  “That’s my home right there,” said Oscar.

  Good for Oscar. He deserved it.

  Oscar walked over to the other one and looked up at the sign. “‘The Captain’s Gratitude,’” he read. “This one is for the two of you.”

  It couldn’t be!

  “How—how do you ... Are you sure?” Flora asked.

  “Captain’s first order,” said Oscar. “I heard him say to get these boxes painted and lettered.”

  Flora felt a sea breeze flutter her ears. “What does gratitude mean?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe it’s about paying back a favor,” answered Oscar. “Or maybe it just means ‘the best pig ever.’ ” He gave her a big doggy grin.

  The ship’s whistle blew again. Sophia and Flora looked at each other. “Think you can handle being a ship’s best pig?” asked Sophia.

  “Hmm,” said Flora. “Let me think about this ... Travel all over the world? Hunt rats and pull sleds? Wake up next to your best friends? New adventure every trip?”

  “Tough duty, huh?” asked Oscar.

  “I’ll just have to make the best of it,” said Flora. “Starting now.”

  As the ship picked up speed, Flora walked to the tip of the bow and put her feet on the railing, facing the wind—and all her adventures to come.

  About the Author

  CHRIS KURTZ is a teacher, storyteller, and author of The Pup Who Cried Wolf. He has also cowritten picture books with his sister Jane Kurtz. He lives in Portland, Oregon, with his family.