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The Puppy that wanted to Play

By Hema Rao; Illustrations by Shiju George

Bruno, the little, brown puppy wanted to play! He needed a friend.

"Come play with me!" said Bruno to the white cow.

"No! No! No!" replied the white cow, shaking her head. "I have work to do. Ihave to give milk for Tinnu and Minnu. Milk for their family, too. Go away. Ihave WORK to do! MOOOOOOOOO!"

Bruno went to the brown cock.

"Come play with me!" pleaded Bruno to the brown cock.

"No! No! No!" cackled the brown cock. "I have to wake up lazy Tinnu andMinnu. I have to make yellow hens lay the eggs for breakfast. I have tochase the chicks all day long. Go away. I have WORK to do! COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOOOO!"

Bruno was sad. No one wanted to play! He went to the big ox.

"Come play with me!" said Bruno to the big ox.

"No! No! No!" said the big ox. "I have to pull the plough in the field. Ihave to carry fruit and vegetables to the market. Go away. I have WORK todo!"

Bruno saw the big black owl sitting on the tree.

"Come play with me!" said Bruno.

"No! No! No!" hooted the owl. "I am tired after chasing away all rats fromthe field. All night I ate insects. I am sleepy and tired. Go away! I haveWORK to do! OOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"

Bruno ran to the furry squirrel.

"Play with me!" cried the little puppy. "PLEASE play with me!"

"No! No! No!" said the squirrel. "I have to find food. Go away. I am busy. Ihave WORK to do!"

Bruno went to the little, gray rat.

"Play with me!" said Bruno.

"No! No! No!" said the little rat." The cat is sitting on the tree. She wants tocatch me. Go away! I have WORK to do! I have to RUN away from the cat!"