In the tranquil village where life moved at an easy pace, Subbu, the dhobi, began his day. His humble home was nestled near a bubbling brook, surrounded by lush greenery. The rhythmic sound of water accompanied the gentle breeze, creating a soothing atmosphere. Hardy, his diligent donkey, was already hard at work, preparing for the day's tasks, while Louis, the dog, lazily basked in the sun, his eyes drooping with sleep.
As the night descended, the village was enveloped in a serene silence, broken only by the occasional rustling of leaves. Inside the house, Subbu was deep in slumber, unaware of the shadowy figure creeping through the darkness. A thief, with nefarious intent, had entered the dhobi's abode, stealthily moving towards the valuable possessions.
Hardy, ever the watchful guardian, spotted the intruder. Without hesitation, he trotted over to Louis, nudging him awake. "Louis, wake up! There's a thief!" Louis, barely lifting his head, mumbled lazily, "Can't you see I'm resting? You handle it." Hardy was taken aback by the indifference but knew action was needed.
Realizing that Louis would not help, Hardy took matters into his own hands—or rather, hooves. He began to bray loudly, the sound echoing through the night. The thief, startled by the unexpected noise, froze momentarily before dropping his loot and fleeing into the shadows.
Subbu, awoken by the commotion, emerged to find Hardy still braying. Annoyed and misunderstanding the situation, he approached the donkey with a stick in hand, "Stop that racket, Hardy! You’re disturbing the peace!" Yet, Hardy's persistent braying had already served its purpose, saving the household from theft.
The next morning, as the villagers gathered and learned of the night's events, they began to appreciate Hardy's bravery. Subbu, aware of his hasty judgment, approached Hardy with regret in his eyes. "I owe you an apology, my friend. Your braying was not a disturbance; it was a call to action," he admitted, stroking Hardy's neck. Meanwhile, Louis, learning a lesson in vigilance, resolved to be more attentive in the future.
