Scrappy's Big Day

Scrappy the Yorkie was a small dog,

Not much bigger than your average bullfrog.

He hoped that one day he would grow much bigger,

Like a German Shepard he knew named Digger.

But every morning when Scrappy woke up,

He still was a tiny, scrawny little pup.

When Scrappy went out one day to play ball,

The neighborhood dogs laughed and said, “You’re too small!”

“Besides, even if we let you play, you’d get hurt,

We big dogs would trample you into the dirt.”

Scrappy ran home because he was sad.

He went in the house in search of his dad.

Scrappy asked his dad and if he would ever grow.

“Son, I’m sorry, but I have to say no.

But don’t worry so much young Scrappy,

Someday being little may make you very happy.”

The sad little dog went to sit in the front yard,

And saw his neighbor, Snoop, a huge St. Bernard.

“If only I were large and powerful like him,

I wouldn’t have to be downcast and grim.”

He sat down to watch the dogs run

Champ, the greyhound, was always number one.

His long, thin legs made him fast-

One, two, three, he flew across the grass.

When Champ stopped to get some air,

The ball was soon taken by a hound dog, named Bear.

The game went on like this all afternoon,

Scrappy knew he wouldn’t be playing anytime soon.

Then as Scrappy looked on with a yawn,

All of a sudden the ball was gone!

It rolled under the porch of a little blue house,

As quick and silent as a tiny churchmouse!

All of the dogs were so upset,

They weren’t done playing- not yet!

There were still so many games to play,

And they wouldn’t let the lost ball ruin their day!

First, a big Husky named Snow

Went to see what stopped the show.

He stuck his black nose in the space,

Where the missing ball sat ending the chase.

When Snow saw he couldn’t help,

He called over a Collie with a yelp.

Comet, the Collie, looked for the ball,

But he was no better at getting it at all!

All the dogs looked around at each other,

While one sour dog sighed, “Oh, Brother!”

Then all eyes rested on a spaniel named Dell.

He was the smallest. Yes, he would do well.

Dell tried to squeeze in to save the day,

He had to get that ball out some way!

His head made it through, just barely,

But he couldn’t see much, it was so dark and scary.

Dell pushed and pushed his way in,

He even thought he could see the ball within.

But, soon Dell lost his good luck,

He could go no further, he was stuck!

He had to figure a way to make it back out,

“Help me out of here!” he said with a shout.

Another dog pulled him out by his tail,

The dogs then knew that all their ideas would fail.

From his front yard, Scrappy saw it all.

He knew he could help so he gave out a call,

They turned to look at Scrappy in surprise,

Because they forgot about his diminutive size.

Scrappy trotted over to give it a try,

He knew he was needed, his spirits were high!

The waiting dogs stood around and looked on,

As Scrappy went under the house and was gone.

The hopeful dogs waited for Scrappy,

They wished the small dog would make it snappy.

They wanted the ball to continue their fun,

Before night came and the day was done.

They couldn’t believe their very own eyes

When moments later they saw their prize!

Scrappy scampered back out with the ball

The crowd cheered for him, one and all.

Scrappy became a hero that day,

And he became respected in every way.

Scrappy now held his head up high.

It is very easy for us to see why.

Everyone is different but we all belong,

Embrace the differences, sing your song.

How colorless would the world be?

If everyone was just like you and me?

Scrappy and his dog friends learned this lesson,

Because that day Scrappy’s shortness was a blessing.

Be proud of the way you are now.

Stand up, smile, and take a bow-wow!

This rhyming story was inspired by a middle-school student who felt like he just didn't fit in.