Bruno
“Guess what? Guess what?” barked Chubby, jumping up and down in excitement. “There’s a new dog in our neighbourhood!” Brownie, who was having a nap, picked up his ears.
“How do you know?” he asked raising his head up at once. “When I went past No. 14, I caught a new scent!” replied Chubby. “That could have been anything!” said Brownie closing his eyes again. “No, no! I even heard a new voice, couple of barks. It was kind of rough, so I assume it’s a big dog!”
“It’s a big dog alright!” said Fluff, the neighbourhood cat, who was eavesdropping sitting on the wall, “too big if you ask me!” “Have you seen him?” asked Brownie sitting up at once. “Of course I have seen him!” said Fluff indignantly, “I walk all over the walls and roofs. There’s nothing I miss!” “Tell us more about this new guy!” said Brownie. “Well, he’s the size of a calf!” said Fluff. The two dogs stared in surprise because all the neighbourhood dogs were mostly small breed dogs.
“He looks very mean. I’ve never seen teeth like that. He could easily chew you into pieces!” said Fluff. Chubby whined and hid behind Brownie, shivering. “Oh you exaggerate!” said Brownie, “no dog is as big as a calf!” “Think whatever you please!” said Fluff jumping off the wall, “you’ll believe it when you see it!”
The next morning the two dogs went near No. 14. The gate opened after a while and the house-owner walked out. He pulled the leash in his hand and out came a dog so huge that Brownie gasped in disbelief. The two dogs quickly hid behind two trash-cans. “Look at his mouth,” stuttered Chubby, “it’s hanging like a pouch.” “And those teeth,” said Brownie, “they look sharp like points of knives!” The dog looked smart and strong. He wore around his neck a black belt with silver spikes. “He looks so dangerous and mean,” agreed both dogs.
“What nonsense!” Pinky the Pomeranian of No. 10 huffed, “There are no such animals as ‘big dogs!’”. “That’s because you haven’t seen one yet,” said Spotty, who lived at No. 13, “I live next-door to him and when he barks even the roof shatters. It sounds like thunder!” Fluff jumped on to the wall with a smirk, “I think he eats small dogs for lunch!” “What?” gasped the other dogs. “Yes, I saw him in his kennel, munching something that looked like a small dog!” lied Fluff who enjoyed the frightened looks on the dogs’ faces.
“That’s nonsense!” said Brownie, “Dogs don’t eat dogs!” “Well, you also didn’t believe me when I said he’s as big as a calf!” said Fluff. “Chubby whined, “She was correct about his size. Maybe she’s correct this time too!” “When did you see this?” whispered Pinky. “When I was walking on their wall after lunch,” replied Fluff. “Well you should be careful too then. He might sample you next,” said Chubby sounding very worried. “I am too swift for that!” boasted the cat.
The next day all the dogs in the neighbourhood gathered for a meeting to come up with a plan to chase off the new dog. “He’s too dangerous to have around!” said Brownie. “Bruno, that’s his name,” whispered Spotty, who lived next-door. “That sounds so scary!” said Chubby and all the others agreed. “Pinky said she has a plan,” said Brownie and looked around. “Oh, no, she’s not here! Do you think she was eaten by the big dog? She’s quite small and easy to be swallowed!” gasped Chubby.
All the dogs looked around. There was no sign of Pinky. They sensed that something was not right. A few dogs started howling and Brownie silenced them. “Don’t worry, I think I hear her coming,” said Chubby who had sharp ears, “I can hear footsteps.” They first saw a shadow and the next moment standing in front of them was none other than ‘Bruno’, with his sharp spiky collar and matching teeth!
The dogs had nowhere to run because behind them was a big wall. No one had the courage to run past the huge dog. Chubby fell to the ground and closed his eyes with his paws. “Oh please don’t eat us!” he howled. “Hello, what’s going on in here?” asked Bruno, who sounded very friendly. “He doesn’t sound that bad!” exclaimed Brownie in surprise. “It’s a trap. He’s trying to lure us!” howled Spotty. “Don’t fall for it. He’ll eat us like he ate Pinky!” howled Chubby. “Who’s Pinky?” asked the big dog in surprise. “Pinky was your lunch,” howled Chubby.
“Sorry I’m late guys. I overslept!” said Pinky who suddenly appeared there with sleepy eyes. “Oh!” she gasped seeing Bruno, “I didn’t know he was invited too…” “Wait a minute!” said Brownie and bravely walked up to the new dog, “Do you eat dogs for lunch?” The big dog giggled and said, “Have you ever heard of dogs having dogs for lunch?” “That cat!” growled Pinky. “I have dog-food for lunch!” said Bruno, “The only reason I stopped by here, is to make friends and get to know you guys, because I am new around here!” The dogs sighed in relief. “What’s dog-food?” asked Chubby in a low voice.
“Well, if you stay right here I can bring a few to share with you guys,” said Bruno. The dogs realized that, although the new dog was big and mean looking, he was a nice fellow. “We would like that very much!” said Brownie wagging his tail. Bruno ran back home to bring a few dog-snacks to share. “Well, this should teach us all a good lesson,” said Brownie, “We should never, ever judge someone by their looks!” “Or believe what others say about someone, until we actually get to know them!” added Chubby wagging his tail.