Early morning in the quiet village, the sun had just begun to peek through the trees, bathing the houses and narrow roads in a warm golden glow. The sounds of chirping birds and the gentle rustle of leaves filled the air, signaling the start of another peaceful day. But for Lala, the cheerful and loyal little dog with expressive eyes and a curly tail, today held a very specific and important mission—accompanying CEO Kien to the market.
CEO Kien, a kind-hearted and well-respected man in the community, had a routine every morning. He would walk to the market, chat with the friendly vendors, and pick out fresh ingredients for breakfast. And by his side—or rather, a few steps behind him—was Lala. Today, however, there was a twist: the market was unusually crowded due to a local food fair, and dogs weren’t allowed in the inner vendor area. So, Kien looked at Lala lovingly, bent down, and gently patted her head.
“Lala, be a good girl and wait for me here, okay? I’ll be back in a few minutes with your favorite sticky rice and dried fish.”
Lala wagged her tail once in understanding. She knew the tone. She knew that when Kien said he’d be back, he always came back. Without fussing, barking, or whining, Lala sat down at the edge of the market beneath the shade of a big tamarind tree. Her leash wasn’t even needed. She simply stayed put, her ears perked and eyes fixed in the direction Kien had gone.
People passing by noticed the little dog waiting so patiently.
“Such a well-trained dog,” an old woman selling mangoes remarked.
“She’s waiting for her owner,” a teenage boy replied, offering Lala a gentle smile and a piece of banana. Lala sniffed it politely but didn’t eat. She was on duty. Nothing else mattered until Kien returned.
Back in the market, Kien was navigating through the bustling crowd. Vendors called out special offers. The smell of grilled meat, fresh herbs, and sweet coconut filled the air. Kien carefully selected some warm pork buns, sweet sticky rice, and iced soy milk. He even picked up a piece of grilled fish—Lala’s favorite treat.
Meanwhile, Lala remained in her spot. Children came to pet her. Some even tried to lure her away with treats. But she didn’t budge. Her loyalty was unwavering. She knew her place, and she knew who she was waiting for. Her eyes occasionally scanned the crowd, searching for the familiar shape of Kien, and every time someone remotely similar passed, her ears twitched with anticipation.
Time passed slowly, but Lala’s posture never changed. Her patience was like stone—solid and unmoving. She didn’t bark or whimper. She simply waited.
A vendor nearby watched with growing amazement. “She’s been sitting there like a statue for over fifteen minutes,” he said to his wife. “No leash, no fuss.”
“Dogs know love when they see it,” his wife replied. “She trusts him.”
At last, through the crowd, a familiar figure emerged—CEO Kien, holding a bag full of breakfast. Lala’s tail began to thump against the ground rhythmically, her eyes lighting up with recognition. As Kien approached, Lala stood up, but still did not run to him. She waited until he was close enough.
“Good girl, Lala!” Kien said with a grin as he knelt down to give her the grilled fish. “Thank you for waiting so patiently.”
Lala took the treat gently, her tail wagging with joy. She licked Kien’s hand once, not just for the food but for the bond they shared. It was a relationship built on trust, routine, and genuine affection
As they walked back home, Lala trotted beside Kien, head high and tail wagging with contentment. Villagers waved and smiled.
“Your dog is more well-behaved than some kids,” one man joked.
“She’s part of the family,” Kien replied proudly.
Back at the house, Kien set the breakfast on the bamboo table on the porch. He shared his meal with Lala as he always did—small bites of egg, a bit of sticky rice, and the crispy fish skin she loved so much. As they sat together, the peace of the morning returned. Birds chirped again. A gentle breeze rustled the banana trees. And everything felt whole.
Later that day, Kien had meetings to attend, papers to read, and calls to make. But Lala stayed nearby, always watching, always quiet. She never begged or demanded attention. She simply was. A presence of calm, a source of comfort.
It may seem like a small thing—waiting patiently at the edge of a busy market. But to those who saw it, it was a reminder of the kind of love that doesn’t need words or drama. Just trust, loyalty, and quiet understanding.
That evening, as the sun dipped low and the sky turned orange, Kien sat on his porch sipping tea, Lala curled at his feet. He glanced down at her and smiled.
“You really are something special, Lala. Thank you for being patient. Thank you for trusting me.”
Lala looked up at him, blinked slowly, and let out a content sigh before resting her head back on her paws.
In a world full of distractions and noise, Lala’s patient wait for CEO Kien that morning had reminded everyone who saw it of a deeper truth: sometimes, love is as simple and beautiful as waiting quietly for someone you care about to return.
And Lala, in her own silent, loyal way, had proven that morning that patience is not just a virtue—it’s a language of love.
