Choco

 Choco

I sat on the courtyard bench just looking up at the yellowish-bluish atmosphere and the clouds, letting my dream elsewhere for a little dog. Our house was a divine waterfront along a glittering river. I was sitting ‘neath the big willow with a wooden swinging bench. I was thinking about a Chocolate Labrador which was a pleasant breed. They are faithful and loveable and help you when you feel somber. I got up from the bench and asked mum if I could take a stroll in the Great Woods by myself. “Okay, come back by dinner” she said. My dreams were up in the haze and I was in Earth. The stream had slowed and you could only hear the sound of the waves hitting the slope riverbank. The woods were eerie at night but during the summer evenings, there was glowing rays from the sun. As I walked, I looked at the pink sky.

       I brought my camera along and took pictures of alluring things. When I grow up, I want to be a conservation photographer. Just then, I heard an owl’s hoot, which meant it was time for supper. As I turned around, I turned around and heard scuffling. Right in front of me was Chocolate Labrador. He went up to me and sniffed around. Then he started to pant. “Hold still, I got hold of you.” I looked around for a device or a collar and saw none of that. I let go of him and walked. It was getting dark and the fiery ball was nearly down. Then felt like I was being followed. I turned and saw no one and looked down and saw the puppy. “Go home buddy, your owner might be waiting for you” But then I remembered he didn’t have an owner. I had to wait ‘til I was 12 to have a dog. “Okay boy, I’ll take you to a place where you could stay.” I took him to my favorite willow tree but in the shady part. His bed was a territory of moss and I made a blanket of foliage. I ran home and was just in time for dinner. I washed my hands and was thinking of the Labrador. He reminded me of the chocolate bar I got at the county fair and when it melted. That’s when I decided to name him Choco. I hoped that no one saw him or took him away and when I looked out the windowpane and was relived. Choco was fast asleep. He was shy and well-trained as well as calm. I went to tell Mum.

       “Mum, I need to talk to you in private.” “Tell me” “Mum, I found a stray dog and he followed me home.” I walked to the threshold and opened it. I ambled to Choco slowly as Mum trailed me. Choco was now awake. “Mum, this is Choco, the dog I found.” Choco walked to Mum and sniffed the manner he did when he first met me. Then he panted and wagged his tail.

I think I had the look on my face when I really wanted something because then Mom said  “We’ll think about it but for right now, he is going to stay outside and you may meet and take heed of him OUTSIDE. Understood?” Mum said swiftly, raising her eyebrows and her forehead creased. “YES!” I exclaimed blissfully, and a bit too shrill. Luckily, the next house was two ½ yards away. Mum went inside and came back out. There was something in her hand. When she came closer, I saw that she was holding chicken bones. She gave it to Choco and Choco sucked on it. Then we went inside and into our rooms to sleep.

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       Finally, after a whole week of thinking and pacing, Mum agreed to keep Choco in the house. I ran with joy and thanked Mum. I and Choco led this jubilant celebration by buying the needs for a dog. We took a stroll along the riverbank and stopping to take pictures. “Anam, your friends are here!” and we celebrated by eating carrot cake while Choco got a cake for himself. That’s when I also sent a letter to a conservation photographer. A week after the party, I got a letter saying that I was accepted for the “Kid Photographer” job. My life had been happy as it has always been since I was born. I will never forget how fortunate I am to get a dog like Choco.