• Jasmine woke up suddenly to the cry of a dog. “Achilo!” She saw her dog shaking violently. Panic overpowered her, she couldn’t think straight. The first thing at this instance that popped into her mind was Famila, the herbal healer. She scooped him into her arms and graciously strode out of her bedroom. Jasmine jumped onto, her already saddled horse and galloped quickly to the nearest herbal healer. Oblivious to her surroundings Jasmine rode swiftly on. Tears springing to her eyes and the wind blew in her face. No he can’t leave me now. My birthday is coming soon and I want him to be there. Please God let him live, please, please. He is just irreplaceable. That thought made her cry. Almost immediately after rain pelted down her clothing, and she shivered. I’m soaked to the bone and I am in nothing but my nightgown. Stupid me. In my rush I forgot my cloak. She was beginning to lose hope. There was no way she can make it to the herbal healer if she returned to get her cloak. She overlooked that suggestion and concentrated on getting there. The girl pushed her horse to go faster, but he was beginning to weaken. No please don’t do this to me, not now. Achilo whimpered beside her. Instinctively her grip on the small dog tightened. His cries grew louder and were beginning to put Jasmine off. Every time she fastened the pace the wide –eyed dog howled louder. Achilo wants to go slowly, but I won’t get to Famila in time. Her initial idea was to put off the journey, but she loved Achilo too much to let him die. Instead she covered his head in a fold of her dress, which muffled his disturbing howls. Jasmine urged her horse into his fastest pace, he has ever run.
    At last she reached the herbal healer, but Achilo started shaking again. Without bothering to knock she ran into the small ram shackled house. There in the middle of one room sat a petite woman stirring a pot of herbs. “My dog Achilo is sick! Can you heal him?” she rushed. The woman held her arms out, “I’ll see what I can do. But I won’t give you false promises. Please sit in the other room.” The old woman pointed to the open door with a shaky hand.