The Lead Position

Fluffy snow covered the pine trees as Dash stared out from the dog kennel. He was a sled dog, and his favorite activity was racing through the winter wilderness. Just the thought of it made his feet prance in eager anticipation. His dream was to one day lead the dogs on his team.

The team’s musher, Kiana, came to take the dogs on a morning run. Excitedly, Dash paraded out of the kennel and marched by Ace and Taffy. They were wasting their energy with foolish wrestling games. Dash passed by Akira, who usually led the team. Dash knew Akira was intelligent, but she could never match his speed. Finally, Dash reached the lead dog position. He stood there, staring up at Kiana with hopeful eyes.

Kiana chuckled at the ambitious animal. “You’re not ready for this job,” she told Dash. She moved him out of the lead dog position and strapped him into a harness next to Pepper.

Pepper greeted Dash with a friendly nose bump, but Dash responded half-heartedly. Just once, he wanted his chance to be the one breaking the trail.

Before long, the sled dog team was on its way. Dash’s breath made steamy puffs in the frigid air, and in spite of his earlier disappointment, a joyous bark escaped from him. The sun had crept above the horizon, giving the world a golden hue. Pine trees lined the trail like soldiers, and the snowy tops of mountains glittered in the distance.

“Gee!” Kiana commanded in a loud voice, and Akira, in the lead position, curved toward the right. Dash and Pepper followed her lead, smoothly turning the sled in that direction. At a steady pace, they followed the trail into the deep, silent woods.

Suddenly, the team saw that a fallen tree had blocked their usual path. Kiana shouted, “Haw,” hoping to steer the fast-moving team down a trail to the left, but the tree’s long, scraggly branches snagged Akira’s feet. She brought the team to a halt with a cry.

Kiana sprung from the sled and rushed toward Akira. She carefully examined Akira’s leg. Kiana removed Akira’s harness and placed her on the sled. Akira was going to be OK, but she needed to rest her leg.

Dash felt bad for Akira, but his heart also pounded with hope. Finally, he might have a chance to show the team his skills! This time, Kiana agreed with Dash’s idea. She moved him into the lead dog position.

“Ready! All right!” Kiana commanded.

Instantly, Dash shot forward like a comet. His chest filled with pride as he sprinted through the snow. When Kiana hollered, “Easy,” Dash carefully slowed the team’s pace. He knew all the commands a lead dog needed to understand.

Dash swiftly led the team around the edges of a frozen lake. However, as they flew by a thicket, an inviting scent suddenly filled his nostrils. The mysterious smell distracted Dash, and every thought left his head as he turned to pursue it. Kiana shouted, but this time, her commands did not slow Dash down. He dragged the team down a hill, and the dogs landed in a howling, snowy heap of legs and harnesses. In the distance, a moose loped away.

With patience, Kiana untangled the dogs. Dash stood with his head hanging down. His whole body sagged when Kiana chose Pepper to lead them home.

That evening, Dash wandered off and curled into a ball to sleep. He did not want to hear the other dogs’ chuckling at his mistake. As he shivered, Akira appeared and lay down beside him to warm him.

“Why are you being so kind?” asked Dash.

“You are part of the team,” Akira replied, “and I am a leader. A leader always takes care of the team.”

“Oh,” mumbled Dash. “I was not a good leader today.”

“You will learn.” Akira smiled. “I made mistakes at first too,” she confessed. “I used to turn left instead of right. Lead dogs are always learning.”

Dash thought about Akira’s advice as her friendly warmth spread through him. He did have much to learn, but Akira had taught him the most important thing about being lead dog. Strength, speed, and wisdom did not matter if the leader did not use them to care for the team.