BIG AND SMALL

 

I walked past the bakery and inhaled the glorious smell of fresh bread. I spotted a woman sitting on a bench not so far away. As I smelt the air, I knew she had a sandwich in her hands. A delicious, meaty sandwich. I walked over to her and noticed she was very tired. I also sensed she was very stressed. I sat down next to her and waited until she would notice me. She looked over at me and then back at her sandwich. Eventually, she tore off half of her sandwich and chucked it at me. I knew that she was a bit scared too. I could understand. A big stray dog like me scares quite a few people.

I licked the woman on the cheek, as a ‘thank you’ for giving me the sandwich. She smiled and gave me a hug. As I walked away into the city, I was very cautious. There could be rangers anywhere, they’re always on the lookout for stray dogs. I had to pretend I was walking behind someone, so that it looks like they’re my human. I’m a big, and I mean BIG, German Shepherd. Most of my body is black, except for my paws which are brown. I have a red ribbon tied around my left paw. I don’t know how it’s there because I’ve never had a human before. It’s always been there and I never take it off.
As I walked over to the park, I stopped for a second. I took a few minutes to take everything in. I could hear the birds chirping way up high in the trees. I could see lots of families having picnics together and playing in the playground. Some children were playing with hyperactive puppies. I remember being a puppy. It was really

frightening because everything seemed so big. I was scared and alone. Then I hurried home so I could get to my own puppy, because I knew that he was feeling lonely too.
Alone. We all know what that feels like. No one cares. You’re worthless and stupid. Everyone judges you. That’s how my puppy, Jasper, started his life. All alone on the streets. He was just sitting on the path when a bike came speeding towards him. I jumped up onto my feet and sprinted towards him. I grabbed him just in time. He looked up at me and I realised why he didn’t see the bike. He only had one big brown eye. His coat was grey which explained why the bike hadn’t seen him either.

When I got home (a worn down caravan in the middle of the bush), I looked around to find Jasper curled up on the old bed. I nudged him with my nose and he woke up. I gave him the sandwich and he ate it very quickly. And then he looked up at me and whispered, as if someone could hear us.
“How are you so strong and brave, Mum, and I’m so small and shy? I wish I could be more like you, and be able to face the world every day.”
I looked down at him and told him, “You can’t be strong and brave without being shy and small first. Just like you can’t learn how to do something without making mistakes.” “So you make mistakes, Mum?”

“All the time” I replied.
“You seem so perfect to me. I can’t imagine you making any mistakes.”
My eyes started watering. That was the same way I looked at my own mother.

Estrella Brooke Yáñez-Barnuevo

 

  Estrella Brooke Yáñez-Barnuevo, Es una sevillana, hija de padre australiano y madre sevillana y nieta de un coriano de nacimiento y afición-devoción, José María Yáñez Barnuevo.
Escribió este cuento a la edad de 10 años y lo publicamos hoy con todo nuestro cariño