So I pretended humility whenever I wanted to enter the service of a household, having first cased the place to ascertain that it could maintain and accommodate a large dog. Then I parked myself by the door and, when an apparent stranger came up, I barked at him. The lord of the house would come out and I'd lower my head, wag my tail, go up to him, and lick his brogans with my tongue.
In the excerpt from Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra's "The Dialogue of the Dogs," the narrator describes a clever strategy employed to gain entry into a household. By feigning humility, he creates an illusion of being a submissive yet loyal servant. He first ensures that the household is suitable for his needs and can accommodate a large dog, which indicates his understanding of the environment and social dynamics.
Once he is ready to make his approach, the narrator barks at a stranger to attract attention. When the master of the house appears, he adopts a humble demeanor by lowering his head, wagging his tail, and licking the master's shoes in a gesture of respect. This behavior showcases a mix of cunning and playfulness, reflecting the complexities of social interaction within the context of the story.
