I live in a small town called Katerini. I had a pet dog called Susie, who was a very clever dog but she was also very timid. She was very frightened of strangers and she was also afraid of cats and mice.

One day while I was reading the newspaper I saw an article about lost cats and dogs. When I heard about it I ran into the garden, but I could not find my dog. She had disappeared. But I found a message with a knife on it which said:

IF YOU WANT YOUR DOG ALIVE BRING US 800.000DRS AND WE WILL GIVE YOU BACK YOUR DOG. COME TO THE OLD CASTLE NEAR THE RIVER AT 12.00. DON’T BRING THE POLICE WITH YOU.

THE CAT ROBBERS.

I quickly phoned the police and my parents, who were at work. The money was put in a bag and at 12.00 I went alone with the bag in my hands. I knocked on the door and an ugly man appeared.

- What do you want silly boy? Ah you brought the money didn’t you ?

- Yes sir. Sir can you give my dog please?

-I must first count the money little boy. I am not a silly man like you and I want to count the money. 500.000drs… 600.000drs…700.000drs…. There are only 700.000drs in the bag. You are trying to fool me. Come here little child I am going to hold you until your parents give to me 900.000.000drs for you. Ha ha!

I went quickly into the house and I saw my dog behind bars. I started crying, and so the ugly man hit me on the head with a piece of wood. I slept for two hours and when I woke up nobody was at home. I whistled quietly to my dog to cut off the ropes, and I was free. I climbed quickly through the window, I put on my mobile phone and called the police.

A voice answered:

-Yes? Here is the police station.

-Can I speak to the sergeant.

-Wait a minute please. Mr. Sergeant can you come for a bit. A little boy wants to speak to you.

-I will take it.

-Yes?

- Hello. I am George Manadis.

-George where the hell you are. I have been looking for you since 12.00.

- I was in the old castle near the river. I was with my dog. The cat robbers are sleeping now.

- Bye .

The next day all the newspapers will put me on the Front page, I thought on my way home. It was the most exciting day of my life.

GEORGE MANADIS is a fourteen year old student at the Fourth Gymnasium in Katerini. . He is interested in military history – he helped with the article on the Battle of Pydna – and in addition to enjoying the usual sports is also a keen computer games player. He is currently studying for the Cambridge FCE in May.