I thought hard about how to make the door of my workroom stronger. Finally, I had an idea. I went to the kitchen and brought up some long, heavy pieces of wood. I placed these pieces against the door, going from the floor up to the top. I worked carefully for about thirty minutes until I was sure the door was much stronger than before. When I finished, I felt safer.

 

I was putting away my tools when I heard a soft noise at the door. Someone was trying to open it ! I stood very still and listened carefully. I could hear the animals outside making quiet pig-like sounds. Then everything went silent. Suddenly, the door shook as they pushed it hard. But it did not open because of the wood. When they stopped pushing, I heard them talking to each other.

 

After a minute, one of them made a soft sound, like a sign. I heard more feet moving outside. They talked for a short time, and then it was quiet again. I realized they had gone to bring more animals to help push the door. I stood ready with my gun in my hands. If they broke in, I would fire at as many as I could.

 

They made another sign, and this time, many animals pushed the door together. The door moved a little, but the wood kept it closed. They pushed very hard for a minute, but could not get in. They began talking again, and I thought I heard even more animals arrive. Everything went quiet. Then they tried to push the door again with even more power. I became very worried. I was afraid the wood might break this time.

 

Then I had a new idea. Instead of waiting by the door, I ran up the steps to the flat roof of the house. I hurried to the edge of the roof and looked down. I could hear them pushing the door below me. Quickly, I pointed my gun and fired at the group of animals. The sound of the gun was very loud in the night.

 

Just then, something happened. A large piece of stone from the wall broke off and fell down exactly where the animals were standing. I heard more cries and the sound of many feet running away quickly. When I looked over the edge of the roof, I saw the large stone lying on the ground near the door. There might have been an animal under it, but in the moonlight, I could not see clearly.