Poki was a small, frail puppy with soft brown fur and big, sad eyes. She lived with her best friend Pupu in a modest village where the days were long, the sun was kind, and the earth smelled like wildflowers. Poki had always been tiny, but lately, she looked even thinner than usual. Her ribs poked out more than they should, and her energy had dwindled. She no longer chased butterflies or barked happily when the breeze rustled the trees.
Pupu, a cheerful little boy with an oversized shirt and untamed hair, noticed the change. He watched Poki curl up under their favorite mango tree, too tired to even wag her tail. The sight made Pupu’s heart ache. Poki was more than a pet; she was family, a friend, someone who had always been there through rainy nights and sunlit adventures.
That morning, Pupu sat beside Poki, gently rubbing her ears. “You look too skinny, Poki,” he whispered, voice heavy with worry. He looked at the nearly empty bowl by the tree. Food was hard to come by, and milk was even rarer in their part of the village. But Pupu had heard the traveling vendor speak about a farmer in the next village who had fresh milk. It wasn’t close, but if he left now, he could return by sunset.
Without hesitation, Pupu tied his old sandals and grabbed his small satchel. “Stay here, Poki. I’ll get you some milk,” he said with a determined nod.
The journey was long. Pupu walked dusty paths, crossed narrow streams, and waved to villagers as he passed. His stomach rumbled, but he didn’t stop. The thought of Poki waiting, fragile and hungry, kept his feet moving.
By midday, Pupu reached the farmer’s house. The farmer, noticing the sweat on the boy’s brow and the sincerity in his voice, offered him a bottle of milk for free. “For your pup,” the farmer smiled, “May she grow strong.”
Pupu thanked him and hurried back, clutching the bottle like a treasure. He ignored the fatigue in his legs, the sun burning his cheeks. All he could think of was Poki’s eyes lighting up.
When he finally returned, Poki lifted her head. Her ears perked at the sound of his footsteps. With a joyful yelp, she tried to stand, tail thumping slowly against the dirt.
“I told you I’d be back,” Pupu grinned, uncorking the bottle and pouring the milk into her bowl.
Poki drank eagerly, eyes full of gratitude.
That night, under a sky full of stars, Pupu lay beside Poki, her small body warm against his. She looked better already, and in Pupu’s heart, hope bloomed. He didn’t have much, but he had love, determination, and Poki — and that was enough.
