Corn was a small, scruffy dog with a heart as big as the city. He had lived on the streets of Hanoi for as long as he could remember. His life was a constant struggle, searching for food scraps, seeking shelter from the rain, and dodging the occasional unkind passerby. But today was different. Today was Corn’s birthday.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the city, Corn curled up in a cardboard box he had found behind a grocery store. He watched as families walked by, laughing and holding hands. Their joy felt like a distant dream to him. He remembered the birthdays of his past, when he had been a part of a loving family. He had had a warm bed, a full bowl of food, and someone to scratch behind his ears.
Tears welled up in Corn’s eyes. He missed the feeling of belonging, of being loved. He wished he could have a home, a place where he could feel safe and protected. Just as he was about to give up hope, he heard a soft voice.
“Hello there, little guy,” a kind voice said. Corn looked up to see a young girl standing in front of him. She was holding a small bag of treats. “Is it your birthday today?”
Corn’s heart raced with excitement. He wagged his tail as hard as he could. The girl smiled and knelt down to pet him. “You seem like a very sweet dog,” she said. “Would you like to come home with me?”
Corn’s eyes widened. He couldn’t believe his ears. Was this really happening? The girl reached out and gently picked him up. As she carried him away, Corn looked back at the empty streets. He knew his life was about to change forever.
