In the 1920s, an Akita dog named Hachiko lived in the city of Tokyo, the largest city in Japan. Hachiko had soft, golden-brown fur and a sweet, loving heart. He belonged to a man who was a teacher at a college in the city. Hachiko loved his master and his master loved him. One of Hachiko’s favorite things to do was to walk his owner to the train station every morning.
Every morning, Hachiko happily walked his beloved owner to the train station. And every morning, Hachiko’s master would catch the train to work. The professor spent the day teaching. When the train returned in the afternoon, Hachiko always ran right to the station to greet his owner and walk him home. Hachiko loved to go meet the train and somehow knew the right time to go.
But one tragic day, something very sad happened. The professor became very sick at work. The doctors tried to save him, but in the end, he lost his life.
Hachiko didn’t know this, of course. And there was no way to tell him.
So that afternoon, just as he did every day, the faithful dog ran to the train station looking for his master. People at the train station began to notice that even though his master was no longer aboard the afternoon train, Hachiko came and looked for him every day.
Day after day, year after year, Hachiko ran to the train station at the exact time it was supposed to arrive. For ten long years, the faithful dog waited patiently by the tracks for his owner. The people who watched Hachiko come so faithfully every day were amazed at how the sweet Akita never gave up hope of seeing his master again.
Over the years, Hachiko became famous all over Japan for being so very loyal. Hachiko’s great love for his master—even years after the professor had died—touched people’s hearts. In time, Hachiko’s story spread and touched the hearts of people all over the world.
The Bible tells us how we can be loyal like Hachiko. In Proverbs 3:3, the wisest man who ever lived says, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you.” Hachiko’s incredible devotion reminds us to stay faithful to others.
The way Hachiko showed up every day reminds us to show up every day for the people we love!
God can help you be faithful every day, just like the faithful Hachiko.
Things You Can Do:
- Do you know anyone who always shows up for you like Hachiko did for his master? You can thank them for their sweet loving heart.
- Draw a picture of Hachiko waiting at the station to remind yourself to be patient and loyal.
- Share the story of Hachiko with a friend and discuss ways you can be faithful, loyal and true.
