Thanks to The Hindu for this sweet story.

Dogs not allowed

KAVITA SIVARAMAKRISHNAN

Guhan wanted a pup, but his mother was doubtful because the neighbours were not too keen on dogs.

Guhan wanted to adopt a pup. His mother had said a big “No!” Having a pup in a swanky apartment was not a joke and they didn’t want to antagonise their not-so-pet-friendly neighbours.

They were visiting their aunt’s house after a long time and they stopped to have a drink of coconut water. From their previous visits they knew that the coconut seller had a little boy who had a nasty temper and was prone to bad moods and tantrums. Today they were surprised to see a puppy happily running around the little boy’s legs. The little boy looked happy.

“His fever has subsided,” said his mother.

“And no doubt his foul temper too,” thought Mrs. Sharma, Guhan’s mother.

The coconut seller chatted happily about the new addition. “It was a stray; he got hurt on the road. We nursed him back to health and since then he has been a part of the family.”

A new thought

There was a sparkle in his son’s eyes. The dog had a beautiful chain around his neck. And his beautiful black coat showed that he was well looked after. The dog wagged its tail as if to say, “Thank you for buying coconuts.”

On the way. Mrs. Sharma thought, “They live in a little hut but their hearts were large enough to accommodate a pup.”

Mrs. Sharma knew that it was definitely not a big sacrifice on her part to adopt a pup and to take care of it. In fact it would be a joy.

Guhan said, “The coconut seller gave the pup a new lease of life but our educated, rich neighbours are complacent and will complain about the stray population, but won’t lift a finger to address the issue. If we just listen to their irrational fears we are just like them.”

Mrs. Sharma wondered if the attitude of her neighbours should stop her from adopting a pup.

“We can educate them but if they still don’t want to change then let them just get used to it,” said Guhan.

Mrs. Sharma knew she didn’t have an answer to the entire stray population but she knew she could do her part. When Guhan heard his mother’s reply, he was indeed very happy.