The Lost Puppy: A Heartwarming Story About Kindness
A touching tale about compassion and helping others, with useful English vocabulary for learners.
About This Story
This is a beautiful story about Oliver, a boy who shows great kindness when he finds a lost puppy in the rain. It teaches us important lessons about compassion, responsibility, and never giving up.
Perfect for English learners, this story uses clear language and includes a vocabulary list to help you improve your English while enjoying a touching narrative.
STORY FEATURES
- Heartwarming story
- Simple English
- Useful vocabulary
- Clear moral
As you read, pay attention to how the main character shows compassion and never gives up on helping others.
The Story of Oliver and the Lost Puppy
It had been raining all afternoon. The sky was heavy and gray, and water ran down the windows in long streaks. Oliver sat by the window with his chin resting in his hand. He had already finished his homework, and the rain made it impossible to go outside and play football. The world felt quiet and slow.
Then, through the steady sound of rain, Oliver heard something different. A soft, high sound. At first, he thought it was the wind whistling through the trees. But then he heard it again—a faint whimper, like a small cry.
Oliver straightened up and pressed his face to the glass. At the edge of the streetlight, he saw a small shape. A puppy, soaked and shivering, stood in the puddles. Its fur was wet and sticking to its body, and its little tail was tucked tight. The puppy let out another weak cry.
Oliver's heart gave a jump. "Oh no," he whispered. He thought of how scared the puppy must feel, all alone in the rain. Without waiting, he ran to the door.
He pulled on his yellow raincoat and boots. His mother called from the kitchen, "Where are you going, Oliver?"
"There's a puppy outside!" he shouted back. "I have to help it!"
Before she could answer, Oliver grabbed the big black umbrella and rushed into the storm. The cold rain slapped against his cheeks, and water splashed up as he ran through the puddles.
When he reached the puppy, it tried to back away, its tiny paws slipping on the wet ground. "It's okay," Oliver said softly. His voice was gentle, almost like a lullaby. He crouched down in the mud, holding the umbrella above both of them. "Don't be scared. I won't hurt you."
The puppy trembled, looking up at him with wide brown eyes. Slowly, it sniffed his outstretched hand. Its nose was cold and wet. Oliver waited, his knees getting wetter by the second. Finally, the puppy took one small step closer.
"That's it," Oliver whispered. Carefully, he slid his hand under the puppy's belly and lifted it into his arms. The puppy was light but shaking so hard that Oliver could feel every tremor. He tucked it inside his raincoat, close to his chest, so it could feel his warmth.
Back inside, Oliver placed the puppy on a soft towel near the heater. He quickly warmed some milk in a small bowl. The puppy sniffed at first, then began to drink greedily, its tongue making fast slurping sounds. Oliver laughed in relief.
"You were so hungry," he said. He stroked the puppy's head gently. Its fur was still damp, but it leaned into his hand as if to say thank you. After drinking, the puppy curled up on the towel, closed its eyes, and soon fell asleep.
Oliver sat there watching. He felt proud but also worried. Where had the puppy come from? Was someone out there looking for it?
The next morning, the rain had stopped. Sunlight shone through the wet trees, making the leaves sparkle. Oliver woke early, determined to find the puppy's owner.
At the library, he printed posters with the puppy's photo. On the paper, he wrote in big letters: "FOUND PUPPY – Please call if this is yours. 555-2147."
With a backpack full of posters and a roll of tape, Oliver walked around the neighborhood. The puppy, now a little stronger, followed him happily on a piece of string he used as a leash. Its tail wagged whenever people stopped to pet it.
Oliver put posters on trees, at the bus stop, and on the notice board in the park. At the grocery store, he asked the shopkeeper, "Can I put one here on the window?"
The shopkeeper, a grumpy-looking man, raised an eyebrow. "As long as you don't cover my fruit prices."
Oliver smiled. "Thank you."
That afternoon, when he was putting up his last poster near the bakery, his phone buzzed. The number was unfamiliar. His heart raced as he answered.
"Hello? Did you find a puppy?" a woman's voice asked. Her tone was quick, almost breathless.
"Yes," Oliver said, looking down at the puppy chewing on his shoelace. "It's small, brown, with big eyes. I found it yesterday in the rain."
There was a pause, then a shaky sigh. "That's her. Her name is Bella. She ran away during the storm. We searched for hours. My daughter has been crying all night."
Oliver felt a rush of happiness. "She's safe," he said. "Would you like to meet at the park?"
An hour later, Oliver sat on a bench, the puppy on his lap. The sun was warm now, and children played nearby. Then he saw a woman hurrying across the path, holding the hand of a little girl.
The moment the puppy saw them, its ears shot up. With a happy bark, it wriggled free from Oliver's arms and dashed toward them.
"Bella!" the girl screamed. She dropped her mother's hand and fell to her knees as the puppy leapt into her arms. The girl hugged it tightly, tears running down her face. "I thought I lost you forever!"
The woman wiped her eyes and smiled at Oliver. "Thank you," she said. "You don't know how much this means. We were so afraid."
Oliver felt warmth spread through him. "I'm just glad she's home," he said.
The girl looked up at him with shining eyes. "Thank you for saving Bella," she whispered.
Moral of the Story
Kindness and compassion can make a big difference in someone's life. When you see someone in need, never hesitate to help. Your small act of kindness can bring great happiness to others.
Vocabulary List for English Learners
Here are some useful words from the story to help you learn:
1. Shiver (verb)
To shake because of cold or fear.
Example: The puppy was shivering in the cold rain.
2. Whimper (noun/verb)
A soft cry expressing fear or pain.
Example: The lost puppy let out a quiet whimper.
3. Lullaby (noun)
A gentle song to soothe someone.
Example: His voice was as soft as a lullaby.
4. Tremor (noun)
A small shake or movement.
Example: He could feel every tremor of the scared puppy.
5. Relief (noun)
The feeling of comfort after worry.
Example: Oliver felt relief when the puppy started drinking milk.
6. Owner (noun)
A person who has something that belongs to them.
Example: He wanted to find the puppy's owner.
7. Compassion (noun)
Feeling of caring for others who are suffering.
Example: Oliver showed great compassion for the lost puppy.
8. Determined (adjective)
Having a strong decision to do something.
Example: Oliver was determined to find the puppy's family.
No comments:
Post a Comment