The Big Black Dog is the story of Paul, a young man in fifth grade in a Chicago school who has become prey for the notorious school bullies. Marvin Sikes and four of his sidekicks are seventh graders who love to pick on the weak and the defenseless. Paul runs home a different way every day after school to get away from the bullies. One day Paul runs into a very strange-looking animal he thinks is a black bear in an alley. After a long while and a real scare session for Paul, he realizes it was no bear, but the biggest black dog he has ever seen in his whole life. He things that he will never see that big black dog again, that is, until the bullies decide that Paul needs to be taught a lesson. Paul is terrified when he discovers the bullies plot to beat him to within an inch of his life. He takes a longer way home this time, thinking they will never find him. But to his surprise there they are. He knows now he is dead meat, As they corner him, Marvin picks him off his feet and throws him on the ground. Things go on and Paul knows the end was near. Then the bullies stop and are looking at something. They are frozen, without a sound, as they stare behind Paul, who is now standing. As Paul turns, he can see the most amazing sight he has ever seen in his life, the big black dog. He doesnt know why the dog is there, but he sure is glad that such is the case. That is where this friendship starts, but its not where it ends. This mysterious big black dog becomes Pauls hero and a hero to many others.