Ethan was an ordinary boy who lived in a small village surrounded by green hills. He loved exploring the forest behind his house, collecting stones, and imagining himself as a brave adventurer. One sunny afternoon, while Ethan was walking along the edge of the forest, he heard a faint whimper. Curious, he followed the sound and found a skinny, muddy dog trapped in some thorny bushes. Its fur was matted, and it looked scared. "Hey, buddy," Ethan said softly, kneeling down. The dog flinched but didn't growl. Slowly, Ethan untangled the thorns and freed the animal. The dog, a golden-brown mutt with gentle eyes, wagged its tail hesitantly. Ethan offered a piece of bread from his pocket, and the dog gobbled it up. "I'm going to call you Rusty," Ethan said. Rusty barked happily, as if agreeing. From that day, Ethan and Rusty were inseparable. They explored the woods, raced down the hills, and even shared meals. Rusty had a knack for finding hidden trails, and Ethan loved the adventures they led to. One evening, while playing near the river, Ethan slipped on a rock and fell into the fast-moving water. He struggled to keep his head above the surface. Rusty barked frantically and jumped in without hesitation. The dog swam to Ethan, grabbed his shirt with his teeth, and paddled toward the shore. With one final push, Rusty dragged Ethan onto dry land. Both lay there, exhausted but safe. "You saved me," Ethan whispered, hugging Rusty tightly. From then on, Rusty wasn't just a stray dog. He became the village hero and Ethan's loyal guardian. Together, they proved that the bond between a boy and his dog could conquer anything.