The Red Ball and the Busker’s Song

Chapter 1: The Bouncing Ball

The park smells of cut grass and warm dust. ⟨Character 4⟩ the beagle drops a red ball at Aanya’s feet and wags his whole back end.

⟨Character 1⟩: Ready, ⟨Character 4⟩? One, two, three! Fetch!

⟨Character 2⟩: Too slow, Aanya. Watch this. I’ll throw it so far it’ll bounce off that bench and come right back.

Rohan throws a stick. It hits the bench with a loud clatter. ⟨Character 4⟩ hides behind Kamala’s legs.

⟨Character 3⟩: Oh dear. ⟨Character 4⟩, it’s only a noise. Come out, come out. Where did that ball go?

The red ball had bounced off the bench and rolled deep into a thick, prickly bush. Aanya pushes leaves aside but can’t reach it.

⟨Character 1⟩: It’s stuck. I can see it but my arm’s too short. ⟨Character 4⟩, don’t cry.

⟨Character 4⟩ whines and lies down with his chin on his paws. Then a lively guitar tune floats over from the path.

⟨Character 2⟩: Hey, that busker’s good. Look, ⟨Character 4⟩’s ears just went up like two little flags.

⟨Character 4⟩ lifts his head and howls along, a long happy awooo. The busker grins and plays louder.

busker: That’s the best backing singer I’ve had all week. Does he take requests?

⟨Character 1⟩: Um. Excuse me. Our ball is stuck in that bush. Can you help us, please?

busker: A ball, eh? I saw something red roll under my fruit crate earlier. Let’s tip it over and see.

They tip the wooden crate. Out rolls the red ball, dusty but safe. ⟨Character 4⟩ barks and wags his tail so hard it thumps the bench.

⟨Character 3⟩: Well, I never. All that fuss and the ball was right here. Thank you, young man.

Chapter 2: The Thank-You Song

The sun sinks low and turns the park orange. The busker sits on the bench and tunes his old guitar.

busker: This one’s for the dog with the good ears. A gentle goodnight tune, nice and slow.

⟨Character 4⟩ circles three times and curls up right on Rohan’s feet. His red ball rests between his paws.

⟨Character 2⟩: His fingers never stop moving. Left hand up the neck, right hand down. How does he know where every note lives?

⟨Character 3⟩: Here, young man. A few coins for the song. And for finding our ball. You made a sad dog very happy.

busker: Thank you kindly. That’s enough for a cup of tea and a bun. Goodnight, all.

They walk home slowly under the street lamps. Kamala hums the whole way.

⟨Character 3⟩: I forget where I left my glasses again, but I won’t forget that tune. Off to bed, both of you.

In the flat, Aanya sits on the floor with her crayons. She draws a guitar with a wobbly neck and six careful strings.

⟨Character 1⟩: There. That’s the busker’s guitar. I’m keeping it by my pillow.

⟨Character 4⟩ yawns a huge yawn and flops down. Rohan scratches behind his ears until his back leg thumps the floor.

⟨Character 2⟩: Goodnight, ⟨Character 4⟩. Goodnight, ball. Goodnight, guitar man.

Lights go off. Kamala hums one more old Tamil song. ⟨Character 4⟩’s soft breathing fills the room. Everyone is safe and settled.