Bunty was on his way out to play one evening when a small, adorable puppy with fluffy white fur ran up to the gate and clung to his feet. Bunty picked him up lovingly and ran to his mother. His elder brother, Gaurav, was showing their mother his homework.

Gaurav looked at the puppy, surprised. “Where did you get him?”

“I found him near the gate. Look! Isn’t he cute?”

Bunty stroked the puppy and said, “I am going to call him Sumit Uncle. Look at his face; he looks just like Sumit Uncle!”

Gaurav laughed. “You are silly. Dogs look like their mummy and papa. People look like other people.”

“Where are his mummy and papa? Can we keep him?”

Mum said, “He belongs to someone. His owner must be worried and looking for him. If we find out who he belongs to, we will give him back.”

“But if he loves his owner, why did he come to me?” Bunty asked. “Look how happily he is sitting with me. He licked my hand five times!”

“He must have been frightened by the firecrackers and run away,” Mum explained.

“Why do people burst so many firecrackers?” Bunty asked. “Dadi starts coughing because of the smoke.”

“I burst firecrackers,” Gaurav said proudly. “Diwali is my favourite festival. I love firecrackers!”

“Diwali is Bunty’s favourite festival too,” Mum said. “He eats more sweets than anyone else!”

Bunty turned angrily to Gaurav. “You are very bad! Dadi coughs because of your firecrackers. And you scared Sumit Uncle too!”

Gaurav looked at the puppy. “We can’t call him Sumit Uncle. Think of another name.”

Bunty thought for a moment. “What about Laddu?”

“Laddu sounds good,” said Gaurav. “Okay, Laddu it is.”

Mum reminded them, “But remember, he is not ours. His owner must be looking for him.”

“Everyone has a little brother or sister,” Bunty said. “I want a little brother, or you can let me keep Laddu.”

Gaurav laughed. “A little brother will soon grow up.”

“Then we can get another little brother.”

“He will grow up too.”

“Then we will get another one.”

Gaurav looked at him. “And then another?”

“Yes!”

“Where are you going to keep all these brothers?”

“In our room. They can all sleep in my room. We will get cradles for them.”

“Enough!” Mum said, trying not to laugh. “Both of you, sit quietly.”

“I have already told the watchman about Laddu. If his owner comes looking for him, he will send them to us.”

“Mum, why can’t we keep Laddu?” Bunty asked.

“Because you are at school, Gaurav is at school, Papa goes to the office, and I go to the office too. Who will look after Laddu?”

“Can’t you stay at home?” Bunty asked. “Lots of my friends’ mothers stay at home.”

Mum explained, “Every family is different. Some people go to school, some go to work, and some stay at home. Papa and I both work, and that is how we pay for everything at home. We have to buy vegetables and milk, and we have to pay your school fees too.”

“And Laddu’s biscuits,” Gaurav added.

“Exactly,” Mum said.

“But we have holidays now!” Bunty quickly said. “Gaurav bhaiya and I can look after him till school starts.”

Mum thought for a moment.

“All right. Let us see how it goes for a few days. If nobody comes looking for him, then we will decide what to do.”

Bunty beamed. He picked up Laddu, carried him to his bed and laid him down.

The two cuddled up and soon fell asleep.

Early the next morning, the doorbell rang.

Laddu started barking and wagging his tail.

Bunty picked him up and tried to quieten him. “Shhh, Laddu! Quiet!”

But Laddu wriggled out of his arms and ran towards the door. Mum opened it. A little girl was standing there with her father.

The moment Laddu saw her, he ran straight to her, jumped up and started licking her face. Bunty stood quietly, watching.

The little girl’s name was Chinky. Laddu was her dog. He had run away the night before after getting frightened by the firecrackers.

Chinky’s father smiled at Bunty’s mother. “Thank you so much for looking after him.”

Bunty’s mother smiled. “Bunty was very happy that he came to us.”

“Our house is just nearby,” Chinky’s father said. “Bunty can come over and play with Chinky and Snowy whenever he wants.”

Bunty’s face lit up. “Really? Can I come every day? After school?”

Mum looked at him. “After you finish your homework.”

Bunty turned to Chinky. “Can I still call him Laddu?”

“Laddu? Why?” Chinky laughed. “His name is Snowy. He will get confused.”

“You call him Snowy. I will call him Laddu. He won’t get confused!”

Chinky thought about it and smiled. “Okay, fine. Come and play in the evening.”

Bunty held out a chocolate. “Do you want some? Papa brought it for me when he went on a tour.”

“Yes! I love this one. My Papa brings it for me too.”

Bunty and Chinky spent the rest of the afternoon playing with Snowy.

Story by Prerna Jain, illustrations with the help of AI.