I was in a vehicle too engrossed in delivering letters to the box one fine day, when, suddenly, I heard a high pitch voice from somewhere.

Wait! Wait!

I stopped what I was doing and glanced at the side mirrors of my vehicle to decipher where the voice was coming from but couldn’t see a thing. So, I resumed my activity, and lo and behold, a little boy, popped out of nowhere, was suddenly next to my side, holding a paper.  If he wasn’t a boy,  it would have scared me to death.  I easily get startled these days especially if I am so immersed at what I am doing, and someone suddenly appears right next to me like a genie.

Tristan

Boy: Can you read this for me please?

Me: Tristan, please do not tease the dog.

He flipped the paper over.

Boy: And this?

Tristan 1

Me: It says the same thing but in reverse.

I saw him process the information in his mind. I could tell that he was disappointed as he wasn’t going to be able to play with the neighbor’s dog anymore. He loves dog so much. He was also worried that his neighbor might tell his parents and reprimand him. So, I soothed and calmed his fear down to make him feel better.

Me: Know what?

Boy: What?

Me: Your neighbor is definitely not mad at you. She just doesn’t want you get bitten by the dog.

Boy: (Looking relieved,  he went on to narrate a story.) When I was little, I used to play a lot with our dog, and the dog bit me on my lips. See the scar? (his finger pointing on his lips). Indeed, there was a scar.

Me: Reason why your neighbor doesn’t want you to tease the dog. How old are you?

Boy: I am six.

I offered to throw the paper away but he was a bit hesitant. He ran across the road towards his driveway, and paused and looked at me. He was probably wondering if he should show the paper to his mom or have me throw it away. As soon as he decided his mother need not see the paper, he ran back towards me.

Boy: Can you please throw away this for me?

Me: Certainly! Bye now.

Boy: Bye.

It’s been over a month now and I haven’t seen him.

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