The Ledge - Tales from Bark Mountain

Summer has arrived in Bark Mountain, and there’s no better place to cool off than the famous Bark Mountain Potholes. But beneath the sparkling water and smooth rocks is a powerful river that demands respect.

When nine-year-old Ben is swept downstream and and  finds himself stranded on a cliffside ledge, the Bark Mountain firefighters race to reach him. But the river is too dangerous, and the rocks are too sharp to perform a rope rescue from above.

Just when every rescue plan seems to be impossible, one brave little fire dog steps forward, because sometimes heroes don’t always wear boots and helmets.

Sometimes they have fur, four paws and a name.

Goose.

Music from Bensound.com

License code: JOMKAMTPZ2OJIAIF

Artist: : Benjamin Tissot

Check out goosethefiredog.com for pictures and more stories 

Transcript

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Welcome to another tale from Bark Mountain. When the days grew long and the sun warmed the valley during the summer in Bark Mountain, there was only one place every kid wanted to be. The Bark Mountain potholes. For hundreds of years rushing water had carved smooth pools into the rock. Families came every summer to swim in the cool water, picnic beneath the tall trees, and watch the river tumble through the narrow canyon. But everyone in Bark Mountain also knew something important about that river. It was beautiful, but it was very powerful. That power was about to put a little boy in terrible danger. Nine year old Ben had been swimming with his family when his ball floated away. Before anyone could stop him, Ben climbed under the rocks to grab it. His foot slipped, as Ben splashed into the water, the current quickly grabbed him, and he disappeared around the bend. Someone call nine one, his mother screamed. Minutes later the sounds of sirens echoed through the valleys. Enjun one arrived first, followed closely by Rescue Eleven, Chief One, and Goose, the Fire Dog. When Fire Chief Steve stepped out of his truck, he asked, Please tell me what happened. My son, the mother cried. The river took him. Firefighter Forest and Firefighter Red hurried downstream while the rest of the crew began pulling ropes and water rescue equipment from Rescue eleven. Then Forrest shouted Chief, I think we can see him. Everyone ran to the edge of the canyon and looked down. Far below, trapped between the river and a steep rock wall was nine year old Ben. He had managed to climb onto a tiny ledge beside the rushing waters. He was soaking wet, shivering, and looked very scared. Ben, Chief Steve called down to him. The boy looked up. I'm scared, he cried. Chief Steve shouted back. We're here now. Stay exactly where you are. We're coming to get you. All the firefighters studied the cliff, and then they huddled up to formulate a plan to rescue Ben. They decided their ropes wouldn't do it. It was too dangerous to lower someone. They could not send a firefighter down the cliff to pull Ben up. They couldn't put a firefighter in the water because the current was too strong. And what made matters worse? The area that Ben had climbed into was almost like a cave. The firefighters couldn't see him from above. Firefighter Izzy explained. Chief, I don't think we can lower someone down there. It's too dangerous. The chief understood what she said. Firefighter Tom spoke up next. Chief, the cliff is covered with sharp jagged edges. There's no way we could lower someone without the rescue rope rubbing against those rocks. The rope could break. And the current in the river is really strong today, Dazzle added. I've heard all your concerns, Fire Chief Steve said. Sending a firefighter over the edge is too dangerous. For a moment nobody spoke. Then Goose barked. Fire Chief Steve looked down. What are you trying to say, buddy? Goose was standing beside Rescue eleven, and he had his bright red water rescue vest in his mouth. Then he looked towards the river, then back at Fire Chief Steve. Firefighter Izzy suddenly understood. Chief, Goose is trying to tell you he can go down the river. The chief stared down at the river above the ledge. The current was too strong. Then he looked back at Goose. I think it's too dangerous, buddy. Goose barked again and he walked towards Fire Chief Steve with his rescue vest. It made the chief think again. Unlike a firefighter, Goose was small enough to float with the current, and then maybe he could climb onto the narrow ledge. If it didn't work, he would just float by and the firefighters would pick him up downstream. Chief Steve knelt down beside Goose. Are you telling me you think you can reach him, buddy? Goose barked, spun in a circle, and wagged his tail, still holding his rescue vest in his mouth. Okay, Fire Chief Steve said. Let's give it a shot. The firefighters quickly went to work. They fitted Goose with his water rescue harness and secured a rescue rope to it. Izzy attached a second life jacket to Goose's rescue harness for Ben. Chief Steve got down on one knee and patted Goose. Do your best, buddy, he said. Tom and Forrest brought Goose upstream. Goose stood at the edge of the river. Goose looked back at all the firefighters before he began to step into the river. Once he did, he began to swim. The current was strong and quickly carried him downstream out of sight. Goose paddled hard, keeping his head above the water. Closer and closer he came to the bend where the little boy was on the ledge. Then Goose saw him and he had to kick and paddle really hard, but the current was pulling him too fast downstream. Goose took a deep breath, slowed things down, and then he kicked like he had never kicked before and shot across the stream just as he came to the ledge. When Goose climbed onto the ledge, Ben got down on his knees and wrapped both arms around him. Thank you for coming to get me, he said. Goose licked his face, and Ben stopped crying. Goose then nudged the extra life jacket towards him, as if to say we still have work to do. Ben had remembered something a firefighter had taught him at school. When rescuers arrive, stay calm, listen to what they say, and trust your rescuers. That's exactly what Ben decided to do. His hands were shaking, but he slipped his little arms into the life jacket and fastened it tightly. Goose moved in beside him and then barked three times. The firefighters on the top of the cliff heard the barking. Fire Chief Steve yelled down Is Goose the Fire Dog with you? Ben yelled up, Yes he is, and I have my life jacket on. That's perfect. We're getting ready up here and I'm gonna ask you to do something, but don't move until I call back. Ben yelled up. Okay, I understand, he said. Both of Ben's parents stood silently beside Fire Chief Steve on the top of the cliffs. The firefighters huddled up, and they decided the best way to rescue Ben and Goose was not to pull them over the sharp jagged rocks, but for them to get back in the water and use the ropes to guide them safely to the shore. Ben, we need you and Goose the Fire Dog to get in the water. We're gonna hold on to you with these ropes. You're gonna start to float downstream, but we're gonna guide you to safety with the rescue ropes. I understand, Ben said. Goose barked twice. Goose and Ben jumped into the water and started to float downstream. As soon as the firefighters felt it was safe to guide Ben and Goose to shore, they did. Slowly but carefully, Ben and Goose found a shallow bay. And when Fire Chief Steve and the firefighters heard goose bark, they knew the two were safely on shore. Tom and Dazil made their way down a steep trail and got to the bay. When they came into the opening they saw little Ben with his face buried in goose's fur. Goose was looking at Tom and Dazil, wagging his tail, smiling. It's okay, Ben, we're here now, she said. You can let go. Firefighter Tom disconnected the rescue ropes and picked up Ben. We're gonna go up a really steep trail now, so I need you to hang on to me tightly, okay? Yes, sir, Ben said. Dazzle looked at Goose. Nice job, buddy. Let's go. The two firefighters, Ben and Goose the Fire Dog, started to make their way back up the steep trail. When they came to the top, Ben's mum ran towards them. Ben, she yelled out. She dropped to her knees and wrapped her arms around him. Then his father joined in, holding them both. Goose just sat there, soakin' wet, covered in mud, and wagging his tail. Ben broke away from his parents and wrapped both arms around Goose. You save me, Goose the Fire Dog, he said. Goose gave him one enormous lick across the face. Then he spun around in two circles and barked twice. Silly goose, Fire Chief Steve said. Everyone laughed. Later that evening, as the sun began to disappear behind Bark Mountain, Fire Chief Steve came over and sat beside Goose near the cliff. You know something, buddy? Goose tilted his head. Sometimes the bravest rescuer isn't the biggest or the strongest. Chief Steve looked over towards Ben, who was now walking safely between his mother and father to their car. Someone needed you today, Goose, and you saved them. Goose rested his head against Fire Chief Steve's leg, and behind them the river continued rushing through the bark mountain potholes, just like it had for over a hundred years. And going home tonight was a nine year old boy who was safe and sound, because on that afternoon when the river was too dangerous, the cliffs were too sharp and steep, and no one else could reach that little boy. Goose the Fire Dog did. And every firefighter in Bark Mountain knew this to be true. There will be moments in life when you're scared, and something feels too strong, and the way home seems too far away. Sometimes help comes in a way you never imagine. And a frightened little boy on a cliff in Bark Mountain was rescued by someone with four paws, a wet nose, could bark, and a name Goose.