Friends for Prasad
Prasad was a six years old boy. One morning, he rushed out of his house shouting, `there is no rain to day. I can play’.
He ran to the garden. He kicked his ball hard. It bounced across the garden. `I wish I had someone to play with!’ he said to himself.
He went to his mother.
`Mother,’ he said,’ I have no one to play with.’
`Why don’t you play with the puppy or the kitten? You can play with the chicks or with the kid,’ she said.
So, Prasad went to look for the puppy, the kitten, the chicks and the kid. They lay in the sun with their mothers.
The pup said to his mother, ` comes there the naughty boy. He ties strings on my tail’.
Prasad said, `come and play with me, little pup….’ `no,’ said the puppy,’ I am not coming to play with you. Bow-wow,’ and off her ran.
Prasad turned away and went to blockier, the cat and her three little kittens. One of the kittens said to her mother, `he puts me in a bucket of water. He is a bad boy.’
Prasad said, `Come and play with me, little Pussy.’ But all the kittens said together, `no, we are not coming to play with you. Meow, Meow.’ And they ran away.
Prasad went to the chicks. `Please come and play with me, dear chicks.’ They said, `no, we are not coming to play with you. You will put us in your pocket. Cluck, Cluck.’ They ran to their mother. Then Prasad went to the goat and her kid. The kid saw Prasad. `There comes the naughty little boy. He pulls my tail,’ he said.
`Will you come and play with me? Prasad Asked.
`No, I am not coming to play with you.’ The kid replied and ran off.
Prasad walked back home. `Nobody wants to play with me,’ he told his mother sadly.’ The kid and the chicks, the pup and the kittens said they were not coming to play with me’.
`Don’t worry,’ his mother said. And she whispered something in his ear. Prasad listened.
`I will do it,’ he said.
Next morning, Prasad got up early. He took a saucer of milk. He placed it before the kittens. They licked up the milk and licked their faces clean.
Now, Prasad and the kittens and the pup and the chicks came to mother goat and her kid. Prasad plucked a handful of grass. He held it out to the kid. The kid ate it and then cried, `maa, maa. How nice you are!’
They brushed against Prasad’s leg. `Prr’, they cried.’ We love you.’
Prasad stroked their heads.
Prasad and the kittens went looking for the pup. The pup was cashing a squirrel in the garden.
Prasad took out his ball. He threw it to the pup. The ball bounced. The pup barked happily. He ran to Prasad and licked his legs. `Bow,’ he cried.’ Let’s play together.’
So Prasad and the kittens and the pup went for chicks. He took some grain from his pocket and threw it on the ground. The chicks ran and ate all the grain. `peep-peep,’ they said to Prasad.’ You are a good boy.’ And the chicks ran after him.