HaHa! You losers have so little food! Sucks to be you!

He's a bad leader.

He's so mean to us!

Peter had lots of dogs in his home. His favorite was Rex, so Rex was the boss of the dogs. Rex was really happy because he got the most cuddles, treats, and love. But the other dogs felt a little sad because they also wanted to be loved just like Rex. He thought he was better than everyone else, which was why the dogs did not like him.

My name is Buzz. I am the new leader now.

This is not fair!

Hey, Buzz is pretty cute.

But one day, Peter brought home a surprise...a new dog named Buzz! Buzz was very cute, and soon all the dogs started to like him more than Rex. Peter gave all the belly rubs, yummy food, and cuddles to Buzz. After a while, Buzz became the new leader of the dogs. Rex was sad because he wasn't the leader anymore. Poor Rex lost everything.

You suckers have no bed. Get lost!

Buzz is as bad as Rex.

Can I try the bed?

Soon, the dogs noticed that things haven't really changed. Buzz, as the new leader, got all the belly rubs, yummy food, and love from Peter, just like Rex used to. The other dogs still felt left out and a little jealous. Not being able to stand it, Rex thought maybe he should try to be the leader again.

Then one day, Rex met an old dog that he never saw before. The old dog said to Rex, "My name is Rocket. I'm the oldest dog in Peter's house, and I used to be the cutest dog just like you. I know a lot of things, and I can teach you how to be the leader again."

Rex asked, "Why are you helping me?"

The smart old dog let out a laugh, "You were a bad leader before, but I think you have a good heart. You can do better than Buzz."

Just stick around me and you will learn some stuff.

Fine, then I'll trust you Rocket. What do you want to teach me?

"First, tell me, are you jealous of Buzz?" Rocket asked.

Rex laughed and said, "Me? Jealous? No way! Why would I be jealous? You dumb old dog." But it sounded like he wasn't telling the truth.

Rocket then said to Rex, "Buddhism teaches that you should think about what you're going to say before saying it" (Rahula). He then added, "It also teaches not to lie because lying only hides the truth. The truth might make you look weak. But it does not make you look weak because weaknesses can be found in everyone" (Huston 74).

He is right, Rex thought, I actually am jealous of Buzz. I was just scared to show it.

Thank you old man, now I know not to lie! Am I ready to take the crown back from Buzz now?

Haha, you wish! You still have a lot to learn.

The next day, one of the dogs tried to take Rex's food. Because Rex didn't have as much food anymore, he got really mad. "You better be careful, you dumb dog! Don't take my food!" Rex yelled.

When Rocket saw this happening, he pulled Rex to the side and taught him another lesson. "Rex! Judaism says you must care about others the same way you care for yourself" (Tzvi). "Always do your best to be kind and help others."

Rex realized he was mean to the other dog. Then he thought he wasn't really hungry, but the skinny dog needed the food more. So he went over, said sorry to the skinny dog, and gave her the rest of his food. Rex learned that it's important to be nice to everyone.

I'm sorry for being mean to you. You can have the rest of my food because I know you're hungrier than me. Now I know to be kind to everyone else, just like how I would to myself!

Wow Rex, you've changed a lot!

Even though Rex was happy to learn new things from Rocket, he didn't know what Buddhism and Judaism meant. Rex wondered where Rocket got these names from and asked him, "What are Buddhism and Judaism?"

Rocket smiled, happy that Rex asked, and said, "I'll explain it simply. Buddhism and Judaism are called religions. Religions are special ways of thinking that lots of people believe in, and they teach you what to do to live a better life" (Study).

Rex knew that by following these religions, he could be a better leader than Buzz.

Anyways, I have a plan for you to take the crown back from Buzz.

Really!? What's the plan old man?

Before telling Rex the plan, he had to teach him the most important thing to learn, "First, Christianity teaches that if you believe you have done something wrong before, and say it, you will be given another chance" (Witts).

After thinking for a little bit,  Rex gently said "I know I was mean to the other dogs before. I wasn't nice to them because I thought having Peter's love made me better. I feel bad for making them jealous, because now I know how it feels to be jealous too. I understand that what I did before was not right."

Proud as a peacock, Rocket said with a big smile on his face, "That sounded like it came from the heart kid. I'm so happy with how far you have grown! Let me tell you the plan now."

You are going to tell all the other dogs that you have become better than before. Show them with your words, plus everything I have taught you, that you are a better dog now. Show them that you deserve to be the leader and not Buzz.

That sounds scary to do, but I'll do it for my friends!

Later that day, Rex got all the dogs together in the living room while Peter was out for work. He took a big breath to not be scared, and jumped on the sofa to say what he had to say.

I have something to say to everyone!

Listen up!

Oh, boy.

What does this kid want now?