Balto 20yrs Later: Forgotten, yet Inspiring.

Note: - This is fiction,, so all the events that happen in the story are not true. If this story is somehow similar to something that happened in real life, well it is a pure coincidence.

…Nome, 1946, is not the best place to be for the people neither for the dogs. The 2^nd World War that has just ended, had invaded everyone’s minds. Although Nome was relatively not much affected by the war, it still had a big impact on the town…

“Gather round, gather round!” a voice was coming from the boiler’s room.

It belonged to an old husky with white mushy eyebrows and light-brown coat. Because he was much older than most of the dogs in Nome, he knew a lot things including life in Nome before the war has started. Once a week he would gather round the young generations in the boiler’s room and tell a story from the “old times”.

And possibly, the tradition to gather round in the boiler’s room was just as old as the husky, because no one really knew who started it off. All the dogs of Nome, no matter the breed, would come to the boiler’s room to socialize with the others or just to hear the gossip.

“Gather round (he coughed a few times). Our town is not going through its best times. Over the last five or so years many things had changed. One of them is our lifestyle. Your grandfather would have been doing different things at your age, but most of you don’t even know your grandfathers. Some of them might have been killed, some may have starved. Probably none of you remember the heroes of the “old times”, because their names and their tales were buried with the dead over the last years.

The story I want to tell you this evening is about one of the forgotten heroes and the savior of Nome. His name was Balto and his story took place in the middle of the 20s when a horrible disease was killing children of our owners. At that time Balto was an outcast and no one liked him. Apparently he was part wolf. As it turned out, the only way to get the medicine to the dying children was by sending the sled team to Nenana, so they will receive the medicine and take it back to Nome.

Balto tried out for the sled team, but even though he was faster than the others, he didn’t get in. That was because the best race dog in the town that was going to lead the team, hated Balto and made sure he doesn’t go with the sled team.

And so Balto stayed in Nome. He was very frustrated and upset that he is not there with the other dogs saving Nome. However, the news had reached Nome that the sled team got lost on their way back. Balto realized that he finally got the chance to help the dying children. So he left Nome and went out to find the sled dogs. Balto left Nome by himself, but he returned with medicine and the sled dogs. After that Balto was not an outcast anymore. In fact, he became known as the hero and the savior of Nome.” The old husky finished his story.

The dogs began to leave the boiler’s room. Each one of them had to be back home before the dark. Only one dog stayed behind. Her name was Liennah and she was a malamute. She was quite small for her breed and had chocolate-brown coat with pale-yellow markings.

“Liennah.” the old husky noticed her. “What are you after then?” he asked her.

“Oh, nothing. I just want to say that I liked the story about that dog Balto.” Liennah had a very sweet and gentle voice.

“Did you? Well, I’m glad that someone is interested in the heroes of Nome.” The old husky coughed at the end of his speech.

“No, it’s not that I’m interested or anything, but I just want to ask if you know anything else about Balto.” She smiled.

“I told you most of my knowledge already. But I also know that Balto died in the early 30s. He had a family and I believe his descendants are still among us.” The old husky went past Liennah and left the boiler’s room.

That night Liennah was thinking about Balto and his story. She has never been out there, where the snowy expanses of Alaska are. The wilderness outside the town was covered with mystery. Her life began in Nome and had never left it.

So Liennah was imagining Balto who looked like a wolf, but with a mind of a dog, leading the sled team back to Nome.

Morning came suddenly and unexpectedly for Liennah. Noisy arguing and dialogues got her up. Liennah looked in the window and saw that every single person that lived on her street was outside.

“Can’t you see that we have to at least try and send the dogs to the nearest town! I don’t know how more days my family can last without food. I’m sure that many of you are in the same position. The hunger strike can last for months.” A young woman in black said.

“True. We don’t know when the provisions will reach Nome. But the problem is, our dogs are not good at being sled dogs.” A tall man said.

“Oh, who cares about the dogs?! They are all huskies anyway. My son can be the musher. He used to work with the mail dogs. I’m sure many of us have relatives in the other towns. We are going to report them about the situation here, and see whether they can help.” A fat man said.

In 1946 there was a big hunger strike for the lower class in Nome. There was not enough food, so the prices were very high.

A few hours later a sled team consisting of five dogs and a musher was standing in the middle of the street. Those dogs were considered as the best racing dogs that lived on that street. The team leader was a tall dark-brown husky with creamy markings. His name was Tiddo and he was very proud to be the leader.

Liennah and her best mate Kifty were standing by the side.

“I wish I could be in the sled team right now. But, they didn’t even look in my direction when they were picking the dogs.” Liennah was saying to Kifty.

“C’m on, they were lookin for good, healthy strong males to be in the team. Besides, you ‘n’ I ain’t even sled dogs.” Kifty tried to comfort Liennah.

“How do you know, Kifty? Maybe I can be a great sled dog, but they didn’t even give me a chance” Liennah was getting annoyed. “You know what? I am going to come up to Tiddo and ask if there is space for me!” And she did what she said.

<I’m sure Balto was just like me> Liennah thought. <He was doing his best to be in the sled team. They refused to take him because he was part wolf, they didn’t bother trying me out because I am a female and inexperienced in this kind of thing.>

Liennah went up to Tiddo. Kifty was running after her.

“Hi, Tidd”. Liennah greeted the sled team leader. He was busy chatting to his team mate.

“Oh, hi…Liennah.” He stopped his conversation and looked at her. Those two would barely talk to each other, so Tiddo was kind of surprised that Liennah had addressed to him.

“You think you can do it?” Liennah asked.

“Of course, honey.” He said and smiled at Liennah.

<Piss off> Liennah thought, but she knew that at that moment she had to be nice to Tiddo.

“Erm…I’m just wandering if there is a spare place in your team for me?” She finally asked Tiddo. He gave her a strange look. “I mean, I just feel as though I have to be there with the sled team, rescuing my owner.”

“Think twice, darlin. We need you, and I dunno what I’m gonna do if somethin happens to ya.” Kifty was saying as she followed Liennah.

Both Tiddo and Liennah turned around and looked at Kifty as she approached them.

“Your friend is right. There is no place for such a pretty girl like you out there in the cold.” Tiddo said. Liennah felt like slapping him.

“Why on Earth are you flirting with me?” She gave Tiddo a dirty look and walked off.

“Your friend is too stressy. Why so?” Tidd asked Kifty.

“Forgive ‘er, Tidd. She told me that she really wanna be like that hero, Balto, from the yesterdays story that the old one told in the boiler’s room.” Kifty explained.

“Great.” Tidd said sarcastically and turned away from Kifty.

Liennah was staring at the sled team running away from Nome and leaving her behind. She knew they were going to the nearest town, Council, but she didn’t care. She hoped they will get lost so she can rescue them and prove to everyone that she is the best sled dog.

<What did Balto do?> She thought. <He had probably wandered off to his home that was located in the outskirts of Nome. Just like me, he knew that he was better than all that bunch of dogs that got his place in the sled team. Just because he was part wolf…Just because I am anything but sled dog…>

On the next day a miracle happened. A ship with provisions reached Nome’s harbor. Again, people that lived on Lienna’s street gathered round and decided to send a dog that will take a letter to the musher. The letter will tell that the sled team doesn’t need to continue its journey and can return back to Nome.

“I think that this time the dog has to be female. Females are better at finding stuff.” The fat man said. Liennah heard his words.

She barked and ran up to the fat man, hoping that he will pick her.

“Hey, sending her will be nice.” He said and stroked Lienna’s head.

“No, she will fail. Well, she certainly won’t make it by herself. What if my husky goes with her?” A tall man disagreed. “Kifty, come here, girl.” He called out for his husky.

Kifty came quickly. She was surprised to see Liennah there as well.

“Guess what, Kifty? You are coming with me to find the sled team.” Liennah said. She was very excited.

“Wha?! Who told ya that?” Kifty was shocked.

“Your owner has decided so!” Liennah answered.

“I’m not goin there.” Kifty looked scared

“Yes you are.” Liennah laughed at Kifty.

**************

“Where are you going Kifty? We are probably lost anyway.” Liennah shouted to Kifty that has wandered off.

The two were not that far away from Nome, but already they felt as though they are lost. Both of them had letters with the same content attached to their collars. Now that they didn’t know where to go, Kifty decided to take a look around.

“Told ya i’ was a crap idea. Where on Earth do ya think we’re headin’?” Kifty began to panic.

“Nowhere at the moment. But, take it easy, Kifts. Think in a positive way. Right now we are making our way through the unexplored lands, searching for a sled dog team that is probably lost somewhere and needs help.”

“What the hell is wron’ with ya, mate? You know, unlike you, I’ve been out ‘ere, and believe me – it sucks!” Kifty got stressed out with Liennah.

“You are right. This is the first time in my life when I left Nome, but so far it is not bad at all. It’s amazing. Like those expanses that stretch out for miles…”

“Amazing (sarcastically)! Wow! I’ll see your face by the time we finish our journey. If this ever happens, of course.” Kifty walked off.

“Hey! Where are you going without me? And please don’t start this thing again. Course we make our journey.” Liennah ran after Kifty. It started snowing.

Kifty stopped when she saw a lone tree. Liennah stopped running as well.

“You see that tree?” Kifty asked Liennah.

She nodded.

“I’m gonna go left, and you go right. If ya see somethin’ or if ya get lost, then come back to that tree and wait for me there. I’m gonna do the same thin’.” Kifty explained.

Liennah nodded again. She did what Kifty told her – went to explore what’s on the right. The snowfall was becoming stronger and stronger and soon Liennah was finding it hard to see the objects in the distance. Very soon she got lost as well.

“Kifty, there isn’t anything here!” She shouted but there came no reply. “Kifty?!” She shouted again. No answer. “Hello! Please answer me!” Liennah started getting desperate.

Now that Liennah was let by herself, life outside Nome started to look like Kifty described it earlier.

<Balto> she thought <what did he do when he was looking for the sled dogs? He was lost, but he decided not to give up. After searching with no result for a while, Balto succeeded. He finally found what he was looking for. Eight sled dogs, covered in snow got lost. They were sitting on the ground hoping for the best.>

Liennah reached the top of a small mountain. She wanted to get a better view of the environs. She looked down at the snowy fields and saw nothing. Liennah began to lose hope. Before going back down, Liennah took another look around and saw far in the distance five small dots that were very close to a big dot.

<I better check it out> she thought.

When Liennah got quite close to what she saw from the top of the mountain, the object she saw was looking more like five dogs and a sled.

<Sled team> She smiled.

The dogs weren’t happy to see Liennah.

“Look. It’s Liennah! What is she doing here?” Someone said.

“Hey guys!” Liennah shouted gladly. “I am so glad that I found you. So, you are lost, right?” She asked.

“No, we are just waiting for the musher.” Tiddo answered. “But what are you doing here? Did you think that we are lost and went out to find us?”

“Actually, no. I am here to pass on some information to your musher.” Liennah smirked.

“What is it, then?” Tiddo asked.

“The letter that is pinned to my collar tells that you guys can come back home, because yesterday the ship with provisions arrived to Nome, so there is no need on going to another town. Where is the musher, by the way?”

“He left us about a quarter of an hour ago to look for a village or something. We’re lost.” A dog from the sled team said.

“Shut up, Snosh.” Tiddo barked at the dog. “We’re not really lost. The musher just lost his confidence, that’s it. In fact, forget about that letter, Liennah. ‘Turning back’ is didn’t leave Nome to come back on the next day.” At the end, Tiddo even growled at Liennah.

“Are you seeking for fame?” She asked Tiddo.

“In a way, yeah!”

“Well, even if you will continue your journey, by the time you return to Nome you will earn a reputation of a stubborn idiot.” Liennah explained.

“I see you’re planning to tell everybody that I refused to listen to you?”

“I will have to, because I didn’t make this journey to be rejected.” Liennah said firmly.

“Look, Liennah. You’re pretty and stuff, but no one will listen to you. In fact, forget about your idea, because I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Whatever you say, Tidd.” Liennah replied quietly.

Then Tiddo left the team and attacked Liennah. She managed to step away. Tidd was standing by the edge of a cliff.

“I’m just trying to help.” Liennah exclaimed to everybody.

“No one needs your help.” Tidd answered and took a step back to attack Liennah again. When he was doing that, his back leg slipped and Tidd fell down into the gorge.

<Balto was going through the same thing> Liennah thought. <The original team leader didn’t want to accept Balto, so he tried to kill him. He probably fell down as well after Balto overcame him. But then the sled team leader got up and tried to revenge on Balto.>

But Tidd didn’t get up. His eyes were wide open and his head was bleeding. Liennah turned around and looked at the sled team in horror.

“You killed Tidd.” Someone shouted out at Liennah.

“Who’s gonna be our leader now?” Someone else asked.

“Erm…well, I’ll try.” Liennah said.

“You are NOT a sled dog, though!” Another dog said.

“Just let me try.” Liennah said.

Soon the musher came back. He obviously didn’t find anything. Liennah ran up to him with a letter. The musher read it.

“We’re going home, dogs!” He announced. “So I guess Tidd ran away. Oh well, she can be the first one now.” The musher pointed at Liennah.

**************

Liennah now was the new sled team leader. She always thought as though she should be a sled dog. But then the moments of glory went away, as the sled team got lost. Even the musher didn’t know where to go and he kept changing the direction. Then Liennah decided to stop and think where to go. She imagined Balto.

Liennah looked around, but saw nothing helpful. She began to worry. But then her eyes gazed at the horizon. Far in the sky, Liennah saw something that reminded of a sled team “running” East.

“LIENNAH!!!” A dog behind Liennah screamed in her ear. “Stop daydreaming and get a move on!!!”

“Aaah? Sorry, sorry, I just had to stop.” Liennah explained.

“Well, don’t stop and keep going!” The dog shouted again.

“At least I know where to go now.” Liennah said and pulled the sled east.

**************

Liennah’s sled team has finally reached Nome.

Later in the boiler’s room:

“Liennah, darlin’. I can’t believe you found ‘em.” Said Kifty. “I mean, even though I had more practice than you, I knew that I won’t make it. And then, when ya got lost, I thought “well, I’m gonna come back home and see wha happens.”

“You didn’t quite tell how you managed it though?” Another dog addressed to Liennah.

“Well, it wasn’t just me!” Liennah said and looked at the old husky that tells stories, who was standing in the corner of he boiler’s room. “You know, when I was losing my hope, when I was thinking that I’m not going to find the dogs, I used to think of Balto. He is the REAL hero, and I just followed his example…Because his story was very similar to mine…In fact, if I would’ve not heard his story, and then I would’ve never volunteered to take the letter to the sled team. So the key is to never give up and just give it a chance.”