Kari was a dog with a face that seemed to have been designed by a mischievous deity. His nose was too large, his ears too floppy, and his teeth were so misaligned that his tongue perpetually stuck out to one side. This quirk, however, had become the target of his owner’s cruelty. The man, a cruel and heartless soul, had taken delight in tormenting Kari, often beating him for his “abnormality.”
Today was Kari’s birthday. The dog had no way of knowing the date, but he could feel the shift in the air, a sense of anticipation that was usually absent. He was chained to a rusty fence in the backyard, his ribs protruding from his emaciated frame. As the sun began its descent, Kari’s heart filled with a strange hope. Perhaps today would be different.
Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice. It was the kind woman who lived next door. She had always been kind to Kari, offering him scraps of food and gentle pats. “Happy birthday, Kari,” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “I brought you a special treat.” She produced a small, wrapped package and untied it. Inside was a juicy bone, the kind Kari had only dreamed of.
As the woman knelt beside him, stroking his ragged fur, Kari’s tail began to wag. He had never felt so loved before. He licked her hand, his tongue lolling out in a happy grin. The woman laughed, her eyes filled with tenderness. “Don’t worry, Kari,” she said. “You’re the most beautiful dog I know.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the yard, Kari lay on his bed of straw, his belly full and his heart content. For the first time in his life, he felt truly happy. And as he drifted off to sleep, he dreamed of a world where everyone loved him just as much as the kind woman next door.
