The Red Ball and the Singing Street

Chapter 1: The Ball Rolls Away

Afternoon light in a small Pune flat. Aanya sits on the floor with her crayons. ⟨Character 4⟩ lies beside her, chewing the corner of her paper.

⟨Character 1⟩: ⟨Character 4⟩, that’s my rocket drawing! I need that corner for the flames. Look, three windows and a dog inside. That’s you, ⟨Character 4⟩. You’re the space dog.

⟨Character 2⟩: Space dog needs a ball to fetch in space. Ready, ⟨Character 4⟩? Here it comes!

Rohan tosses the ball. ⟨Character 4⟩ jumps, but it bounces off his nose and rolls out the open door.

⟨Character 1⟩: Oh no! ⟨Character 4⟩, wait! The ball went outside!

⟨Character 2⟩: ⟨Character 4⟩! Come back! I’ll get it, I’ll get it!

⟨Character 4⟩ races down the stairs. Aanya and Rohan call his name, but he is gone.

⟨Character 3⟩: What happened? I heard shouting. Where’s ⟨Character 4⟩? And why is the door open?

⟨Character 1⟩: ⟨Character 4⟩ ran after his ball. It rolled outside and he chased it. We have to find him, Grandma. He might be scared.

⟨Character 2⟩: I’ll go look. He can’t have gone far. He’s probably just down the street.

⟨Character 3⟩: Wait, Rohan. We’ll all go. Let me get my keys. Aanya, hold my hand. We’ll find him together.

They step out into the lane. ⟨Character 4⟩ is nowhere in sight.

⟨Character 2⟩: Look, there’s a busker at the end of the street. Maybe he saw ⟨Character 4⟩. Let’s ask him.

Down the lane, ⟨Character 4⟩ runs with his nose to the ground. The ball is too fast. He stops at the end of the street, panting. A busker sits on a stool with a guitar.

Busker: Hey there, little friend. You look like you lost something. A bone? A friend? A ball?

⟨Character 4⟩ barks once. The busker smiles.

Busker: A red ball? I saw one roll by. Don’t worry, I’ll help you find it. Let’s sing a song to cheer us up.

Busker: Oh, where, oh, where has the red ball gone? Oh, where, oh, where can it be? With a bounce and a roll and a happy little song, we’ll find it for you and me!

⟨Character 4⟩ wags his tail. The busker stands up.

Busker: Come on, then. Let’s follow your nose. We’ll find that ball.

Chapter 2: The Busker's Song

Evening in the Pune market. Marigold garlands hang in bright orange rows. ⟨Character 4⟩ sniffs the ground. The busker strums his guitar.

Busker: Oh, where, oh, where has the red ball gone? Under a cart or behind a stall? With a sniff and a wag and a happy little song, we’ll find it after all!

Busker: Let’s look under this flower cart. Your nose is twitching. You’re getting close, I can tell.

⟨Character 4⟩’s nose leads him to a pile of marigolds on the ground. He barks happily and digs. The red ball rolls out.

Busker: You found it! It must have rolled here when a cart went past. ⟨Character 4⟩, you clever dog. That ball was lost, and now it’s found.

⟨Character 4⟩ licks the busker’s hand. The busker gives him the ball. ⟨Character 4⟩ carries it proudly.

Back at the flat, Aanya, Rohan, and Kamala wait by the door. ⟨Character 4⟩ trots up and drops the ball at their feet.

⟨Character 1⟩: ⟨Character 4⟩! You found your ball! And you made a friend!

⟨Character 2⟩: Good boy. You were brave. I’m glad you’re home.

⟨Character 3⟩: Thank you for bringing him back. Will you stay for some tea?

Busker: Maybe next time. Keep that ball close, ⟨Character 4⟩. Goodnight, all.

The busker walks off, playing a soft tune. Inside, ⟨Character 4⟩ curls up on Rohan’s feet. The red ball sits under his paw.

⟨Character 1⟩: Grandma, can you sing the quiet song? The one about the moon.

⟨Character 3⟩: Nila, nila, odi vaa. Nila, nila, odi vaa.

⟨Character 4⟩ sighs. The ball stays under his paw. Everyone settles down to sleep.