By Maanvi Singh
Ally is walking on the sidewalk when she finds her neighbor, Grey, a hot pink poodle who was grey at first, then dyed himself pink. No one knows why he dyed himself pink, but then again, he is very unpredictable. Grey was holding onto a string, and on the end was a carrot, with a smiley face drawn by a pen.
“What in gods’ name are you doing?” Ally asked with a questioning look on her face. Ally was used to talking like this to Grey. And so did everyone else in the neighborhood. They thought that it would make Grey normal by talking to him rudely. They thought it would get him back in shape, mentally. It didn’t.
“I am walking my pet carrot, Carrot.” Grey calmly stated.
“First of all, that is quite a dumb name.” Ally said. “And second of all, WHY?”
Grey frowned, “It is my favorite food and I don’t want to be the animal who has another animal for a pet. That’s just wrong. So I chose to have food for a pet.” Ally thought about this for a little. Was this one of those weird ideas of his? Or was it pretty decent? Well, Mom never lets me get a dog. What if she gets me a–a pickle! She thought.
“Okay, thanks bye!” She said quickly, and ran to tell her mom.
“NO.” Her mom said. “Where did you even get that idea–were you talking to Grey again. I am telling you,” she turns around and starts at the dishes again, “you shouldn’t talk to that poodle. You think he’s so formal and dainty because he’s a poodle, but no. Not at all. He has gone wrong in the brain and is completely mad. And now he is influencing young children? He has gone too far…” Here she goes again, she is always talking about how Grey is the worst. She can make anything Grey’s fault. ‘Your pencil broke? Oh I bet Grey bewitched it or something.’ I mean, he’s not that bad, he gave me my great idea. Or that is I kind of stole his. Normally I think Grey’s not that great either, but not to Mom’s extent. Ally thought all this while her mom chattered on about how this neighborhood is unsafe or whatever.
The next day, Ally saw Grey walking his carrot again. She was bummed when her mom said no. And now she felt more bummed because she saw Grey walking his carrot. “How did it go?” he asked her.
“Not great. Mom sai–Wait, how do you know I asked my mom?”
“You ran out of there like you were stuck in a room with a bee inside it. How could I not?”
“That is a very weird saying that I highly doubt is real. But my mom said I can’t have it, so yeah,” I muttered looking down.
“That’s kinda sad,” he said, putting his paw on my shoulder.
“Kinda sad?! I’m miserable!” I whine, stomping.
“Your mom probably thought that you might eat the pet,” Grey said. I looked at him with a disgusted look on my face.
“Why in the world would I want to eat my own pet!?” I exclaimed.
“Oh, I dunno,” he says enthusiastically, “It’s your favorite food!” He moves from side to
side like he needs to use the bathroom.
“Ummm,” Grey says, “If you want…you…caan…shaaare with me?” He struggles out, his voice going higher and higher.
“REALLY?” I asked excitedly. I look up at him with bright eyes. His face softens.
“Mm-hmm…” he says, his mouth stretching into a smile.
“OMIGOSH!!! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!” I cry, throwing my arms around him.
“No, no, no…No hugs. Uh-uh,” he says with his arms by his side, trying to shake me off. But I won’t let go. You know, I guess Grey isn’t that bad. Not bad at all.