A long time ago, a kind man lived in a small village. He had two special pets: a clever cat and a loyal dog. Even though the dog was older and slower, he was wise and a great guide for the cat, who was young, fast, and quick-thinking.

The man had a daughter who lived far away while she attended school. Sometimes, he sent the dog and the cat to deliver important gifts to her. One day, he called them both.

“I have something very special for you to take to my daughter,” he said, holding up a small, shiny ring. “This is a magic ring that brings good luck. Cat, I’m trusting you to carry it because you are careful and quick. Dog, you must go too, to help and protect Cat along the way.”

The cat and dog promised to do their best. Then they set off down the road, feeling proud to be trusted with such an important mission.

Everything went well until they reached a wide, rushing river. There was no bridge or boat in sight. They would have to swim across.

As they stood by the water’s edge, the dog said, “Let me carry the ring across. I’m stronger in the water and can keep it safe.”

But the cat shook her head. “No, the master gave the ring to me. It’s my job to carry it.”

The dog said, “I’m just trying to help. Swimming is harder than walking. You might drop it.”

Still, the cat refused. She held the ring tightly in her mouth as they stepped into the river.

The current was strong, and the water pulled at them. They paddled hard, but halfway across, the cat lost her grip and started to slip under. She quickly recovered, but realized it was almost impossible to swim while keeping hold of the ring. She passed it to the dog to carry the rest of the way.

The dog carefully held the ring between his teeth as they swam. They were almost at the other side when—plop!—the ring slipped from his mouth and sank into the river.

They searched the riverbank for a long time, but the ring was gone. Feeling sad and worried, they started back toward home.

As they neared the house, the dog grew nervous. He felt terrible for losing the ring and didn’t know how to explain it. Afraid of being blamed, the dog ran off into the woods.

The cat, now alone, slowly walked up to the house. The man met her at the door.

“Where is the dog?” he asked. “And did you deliver the ring?”

The cat lowered her head and explained everything—the river, the strong current, losing the ring, and how the dog had run away because he was so upset.

The man listened carefully and sighed. “I see. From now on,” he said, “dogs must always show that they are not the one who lost the ring.”

The man explained that when dogs meet each other, they will wag their tails as a sign that they are friendly and trustworthy. Wagging their tails shows they have nothing to hide. It’s like saying, “I didn’t lose the master’s ring! You can trust me!”

And that’s why, even today, when dogs meet other dogs—or even people—they wag their tails. They are still trying to show that they are good and honest, just like the dog tried to show he was sorry long ago.

Also, from that day on, cats became extra careful about water. They remembered how hard it was to swim while carrying something precious. That’s why even now, most cats hate getting wet!

^{_{“Why Dogs Wag Their Tails” by Nina D. Smith © 2025. Retelling of “Why Dogs Wag Their Tails” from Philippine Folk Tales by Mabel Cook Cole. Originally published in 1916.}}