Cry of Balto
Preface
In 1925, the news of serum transportation,
not by ship or aircraft but by the dog-sled relay spread all over the world
through the newly emerging radio and newspaper. In fact, the cold of -40 ¡ÆF is something you know only in theory,
the kind of cold you couldn¡¯t even imagine unless you had experienced it
yourself. It is said that in some areas, the temperature even dropped to -70 ¡ÆF. At
the time, the eastern coast was suffering from the bitter cold for the first
time in decades. Since the river froze up, and a few people even froze to death accidentally as the temperature dropped below zero, people were
on edge about the cold.
Just a few years earlier
in 1919, a similar epidemic broke out in the same area and claimed thousands of
lives. Because of it, the serum run by dogs received more attention across the
world. Even though most people did not know the details, the news that Balto and his musher had raced the last two laps while risking
their lives and finally arrived at their destination drew lots of interest from
Americans - who were going through the depression after the world war and this
story made them proud.
Whoever the
heroes, it was an adventure in which they put their lives on the line. All the
more, since they saved many people, especially children, and overcoming
hardship, it was obvious that they drew lots of attention. As I read and learn
the background and heroic achievements of Balto, who
won fame at that time, along with other hidden stories that have been passed
down occasionally about other related dogs and mushers,
I stop and reflect upon my life personally.
Besides me,
anyone could have put themselves in the shoes of heroes who risked their lives
in difficult circumstances to save others, especially the lives of children. It
could be the position of the musher, although in my case I put myself in my dog¡¯s
feet as I write this.
Dreaming of
setting my feet on the
In warm