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A narrative poem describing an encounter between a stray dog and a little boy. In a single word, how would you title this?
The little stray dog sniffs
A tantalizing smell wafts from the picnic grounds.
It is scared to go near the humans
As it has learnt it is rarely welcomed
But hunger has given it the courage it never knew existed.
A couple more sniffs.
Aha! There it is.
Right on the ground
A cooked piece of meat
Dripping with juices
Warm from the grill.
The only problem.
A little boy squats before it
Eyes narrowed
Deliberating whether the fallen meat is still safe to eat.
The savoury aroma...
The little dog
Caution (and fear) abandoned
Sprints towards its target
And snatches it away
From right under the boy's stare.
The boy, though surprised
Does not flinch.
He watches the stray
Gnawing on the meat (certainly unsafe to eat at this point).
Within seconds
No trace of evidence is left
Except for a rather oily-looking snout.
Their eyes meet.
The little boy doesn't utter a sound.
He stands up
Walks over to the platters of meat
And grabs a plate.
Next, he walks over to a spot away from the adults
And casually drops the plate.
Not safe to eat
He announces (to himself)
And steps back.
The little dog seems to know.
Before racing over to the food
He pauses at the boy's feet
And licks them.
The little boy giggles.
Now the marinade that should be in his mouth
Is all over his feet.
(-)
Our world is full of unnoticed interactions like this.
In a single word, how would you title this?
If a title or reflection comes to mind, you are always welcome to share it with me via email.
