Muthu and the mongrel

The mongrels near Ramu’s tea stall were looking at Priya and Bhavna with pleading eyes. But what could they possibly do?

June 18, 2015 08:31 pm | Updated 08:31 pm IST

Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi

Illustration by Satheesh Vellinezhi

“It’s hot and sunny, why don’t we drink some tender coconut water?” Priya suggested.

Ramu’s shop was always the perfect place to quench their thirst. Ramu ran a tea stall and during the summer, he also sold tender coconut.

“This city would be perfect, if not for the strays,” said Bhavna.

The girls could see some stray pups searching for food. They looked weak and puny and one of them, a brown one, was looking at them with pleading eyes. The girls felt guilty but what could they do except offer a biscuit or two?

A talk

Only Ramu’s son was in the shop. “My father is ill and I have to take care of the shop,” said Muthu. Priya knew that Ramu had been coughing incessantly the last few days. Priya did some voluntary work in a clinic nearby. “Please ask your father to visit the clinic tomorrow,” she said.

The next day, Muthu accompanied his father to the doctor. The doctor prescribed some medicines and said he would be better soon. Muthu was relieved.

A few days later, Priya and her friend visited Ramu’s shop once again. Priya saw that Ramu had regained his health and was back at work. She saw that the brown stray pup was now in the shop!

“Wasn’t this the pup we saw on the streets a few days back? Well, he looked pale and sickly then but he looks nice and healthy now,” said Bhavna.

They saw that the dog had a collar too.

Muthu said, “When my father was ill, we visited the doctor. The doctor gave him medicines and he was cured. Then I thought of these dogs and how they are left to fend for themselves. They cannot even go to the vet themselves! But we can always do our bit to show we care. A vet who visits our shop prescribed some medicines for the pups. And we had them vaccinated, gave them food and water, and now I have a friend for life. No doubt, Jimmy can take care of the shop on his own now,” said Muthu.

“The reason for the stray dog menace is our total lack of concern and also our indifference to animals,” said Priya.

“And where are his friends?” enquired Bhavna.

“When the other shop keepers saw Jimmy, they decided to adopt a dog too. They knew that these mongrels would be good watch dogs. Instead of spending a lot of money on pedigree dogs they understood that these dogs adapt better to our tropical climate! All that a mongrel wants is food, shelter, a loving and caring home,” said Muthu.

Muthu had set an example. His attitude and kind gesture had made a difference to the little stray and also changed the minds of the other shopkeepers too.

“Muthu found the perfect solution for the stray menace in his area,” said Priya.

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