Ngozi's New Pet
“Ngozi’s New Dog”:
Ngozi had always wanted a dog, but her parents never allowed her to have one. They said dogs were too noisy, messy, and expensive to keep. Ngozi was sad, but she never gave up hope. She would often visit the pet shop near her school and look at the puppies in the window. She would imagine how it would feel to cuddle them, play with them, and take them for walks.
One day, as she was walking home from school, she saw a sign that said “Free Puppies”. She followed the arrow and found a cardboard box with four little dogs inside. They were all black and white, with floppy ears and wagging tails. Ngozi felt her heart melt as she looked at them. She picked up one of them and held it close to her chest. It licked her face and made a happy sound.
“Hello, little one,” Ngozi said. “You are so cute and sweet. I wish I could take you home with me.”
Just then, a woman came out of the house and saw Ngozi with the puppy. She smiled and said, “Hello, dear. Do you like the puppies?”
“Yes, ma’am. They are adorable. Where did they come from?” Ngozi asked.
“They are my dog’s babies. She had them a few weeks ago. I can’t keep them all, so I’m giving them away to good homes. Do you want one?” the woman asked.
Ngozi felt a surge of joy, but also a pang of fear. She wanted the puppy more than anything, but she knew her parents would not approve. She hesitated and said, “I don’t know, ma’am. I have to ask my parents first. They don’t like dogs very much.”
The woman nodded and said, “I understand. But you seem like a nice girl, and I can tell you love animals. Why don’t you take the puppy home and show them? Maybe they will change their mind when they see how cute and friendly he is. He is very easy to take care of. He just needs some food, water, and love. And he is already vaccinated and dewormed, so you don’t have to worry about that.”
Ngozi looked at the puppy in her arms and felt a spark of hope. Maybe the woman was right. Maybe her parents would let her keep him. She decided to take a chance and said, “Okay, ma’am. Thank you very much. I will take him home and see what they say. What is his name?”
The woman smiled and said, “His name is Oreo. He is the only one with a black spot on his nose. He is very smart and playful. I’m sure you will be very happy with him.”
Ngozi thanked the woman again and left with Oreo. She felt nervous and excited as she walked home. She wondered what her parents would say when they saw him. She hoped they would like him and let her keep him. She prayed that they would not be angry and make her give him back.
She reached her house and opened the door. She saw her mother in the kitchen, cooking dinner. She greeted her and said, “Mama, I have something to show you. Please don’t be mad.”
Her mother turned around and saw Ngozi holding the puppy. She gasped and said, “Ngozi, what is that? Where did you get that dog?”
Ngozi explained how she found Oreo and how the woman gave him to her. She said, “Mama, please, can I keep him? He is very sweet and gentle. He won’t make any trouble. He will be my best friend. Please, Mama, please.”
Her mother looked at Ngozi and saw the pleading in her eyes. She felt a twinge of sympathy, but also a wave of annoyance. She said, “Ngozi, you know we can’t have a dog. Your father and I have told you many times. Dogs are not for us. They are too much work and too much money. We don’t have the space or the time for them. You have to take him back to where you got him from. Right now.”
Ngozi felt tears sting her eyes. She said, “But Mama, he is already mine. The woman gave him to me. She said he is vaccinated and dewormed. He doesn’t need anything else. He just needs me. And I need him. He makes me happy, Mama. Please, don’t make me give him back. Please.”
Her mother shook her head and said, “No, Ngozi. I’m sorry, but you can’t keep him. It’s not fair to him or to us. He belongs to someone who can take care of him properly. Someone who has a big yard and a lot of time. Someone who likes dogs. We are not those people, Ngozi. We are not. You have to take him back. Now.”
Ngozi felt her heart break. She hugged Oreo and said, “I’m sorry, Oreo. I’m sorry. I love you, but I can’t keep you. I have to take you back. I’m sorry.”
She put Oreo back in the box and left the house. She walked back to the woman’s house, crying all the way. She knocked on the door and said, “Ma’am, I’m sorry, but I can’t keep Oreo. My parents won’t let me. They don’t like dogs. I have to give him back to you. I’m sorry.”
The woman opened the door and saw Ngozi with the puppy. She said, “Oh, dear. What happened? Why are you crying?”
Ngozi told her what her mother said and how she made her return Oreo. She said, “I’m sorry, ma’am. I really wanted to keep him. He is the best thing that ever happened to me. But I can’t. I have to obey my parents. They are right. I can’t take care of him. I’m sorry.”
The woman felt sorry for Ngozi and said, “Don’t be sorry, dear. You did nothing wrong. You tried your best. You are a good girl. And you are a good friend to Oreo. He loves you too, you know. He will miss you very much.”
She took Oreo from Ngozi and said, “But don’t worry. I will find him a good home. A home where he will be loved and cared for. A home where he will be happy. And maybe, someday, you will see him again. Maybe, someday, you will have a dog of your own. A dog that your parents will let you keep. A dog that will be your best friend. Maybe, someday, dear. Maybe, someday.”
She hugged Ngozi and said, “Thank you for giving Oreo a chance. Thank you for loving him. Thank you for being his friend. You are a very special girl, Ngozi. And I’m sure Oreo will never forget you. Neither will I.”
She waved goodbye
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