The Silent Cicada & Foki, the Mongrel Dog: stories for children

He had also spotted a sign that read: Puppies are given away. The offer was tempting. He had reread again and again: give away ... Puppies are given away.

“Pups? Well, they are puppies, they are small dogs, small dogs that serve as company.”

He lived with his two sons. And his wife had gone to heaven and he thought a dog would be a faithful companion that would never leave him.

As he came to a shopping complex he asked about his glasses and then received them in his hands. He believed that the recovery of his glasses was a good sign.

Gonzalo decided to cross the street. Before reaching the corner he remembered the poster which said that puppies are given away.

He began playing at the door. He claimed that if he had a watch would surely have spent ten or fifteen minutes to receive answer. Suddenly he heard a voice saying:

“What do you want, please?”

Gonzalo was looking at that person. He just pointed him towards the poster where he visually reread the information concerning about the puppies.

“Is it true?” He asked that person.

“Oh, yes, puppies.”

That person encouraged him to sit indoors. Gonzalo looked around. For nowhere he saw puppies. He likewise said that it was a joke. It must be a joke. But he changed his mind when he saw that the person who had opened the door carried in his hands a puppy asleep.

“This is a gift,” that person said.

“Are you sure?” said Gonzalo, “How much do I owe you?”

“Yes. Except one thing.”

“Let's see what it is.”

“The puppy is not for sale”, the person said, “It is a gift. But remember this well: you cannot leave the puppy because then he will fall like a curse on you.”

“A curse on me?”

“Surely.”

“I do not believe in curses.”

“This is the last of the puppies. I've given four cubs.”

“The last puppy? Then I’ll take it.”

“But if you leave the puppy from now, a curse will haunt you.”

“I told you,” said Gonzalo,”I do not believe in curses. I will not give up.”

Saying those last words he stroked the puppy’s head. Unintentionally he woke up the puppy. Gonzalo noticed his small eyes. His little eyes were clear as day or a full moon. That person placed the cub in his hands. Gonzalo felt a slight jolt in his upper extremities. He rejoiced and joyfully, because he had recovered his glasses and he had to receive a puppy that undoubtedly is going to become his pet.

“... You will be called Foki,” He told the puppy.

As soon as he got home his two sons were content to see the creature that he could not walk on all fours. They stroked his fur. It looked like a fine wool, a skin coveted at markets.