It was the hottest day of the summer. The sun beat down on the little village, making the ground shimmer and the air feel thick like soup. In a small, cozy house on the corner of a dusty road, Bibi, a playful golden puppy with big round eyes and floppy ears, lay sprawled on the cool tiles, panting heavily.
Bibi loved Uncle Phong, who took care of him with gentle hands and a warm heart. Uncle Phong had rules, though. And one important rule was: no going to the river alone! The river could be dangerous, especially for a little pup like Bibi.
But today, Bibi was boiling. His tongue hung out of his mouth, and even the shade under the mango tree didn’t help. He thought he might melt into a puddle if he didn’t do something fast. As he lay there, staring at the ceiling fan that wasn’t spinning fast enough, a tiny idea popped into his head — the river!
The river was just a short walk away. It would be cool, fresh, and perfect for swimming! Bibi’s tail gave a tiny thump on the floor as he imagined splashing in the water, feeling it wash away the heavy heat that clung to his fur.
First, Bibi peeked around to check where Uncle Phong was. Through the kitchen window, he spotted Uncle Phong sitting at the table, busy fixing a fishing net. He looked focused, humming a tune and pulling the net strings with careful fingers.
This is my chance! thought Bibi.
Quiet as a whisper, Bibi crept to the door. His tiny paws made no sound on the tile. He squeezed his body low, sneaking past the living room where Uncle Phong’s old radio played soft music. One step, two steps… almost there!
But just as he reached the door, the floor creaked loudly.
“Bibi?” Uncle Phong called out, his voice suspicious.
Bibi froze, his ears pricking up. For a second, he thought he might have been caught. But then he heard the sound of the fishing net again. Uncle Phong had gone back to work!
With a small wag of triumph, Bibi nudged the door open with his nose and slipped outside into the warm afternoon.
The village was quiet, the usual chatter of people replaced with slow, lazy sounds — a bird calling from a tree, the soft clinking of wind chimes, the buzz of cicadas. Bibi trotted through the alleyways, careful to stay close to the walls where there was still a little shade. He felt like a secret agent on a mission.
When he reached the path to the river, Bibi paused to catch his breath. The river sparkled in the distance, inviting him like a glistening ribbon. The ground under his paws grew cooler as he approached, and soon, the soft, damp smell of water filled his nose.
At the riverbank, Bibi didn’t hesitate. He bounded into the shallows with a joyful yip, sending up little splashes all around him. The water was perfect — cool and refreshing. Bibi paddled happily, his paws moving in circles, his ears flopping in the water.
He floated on his back, kicked his legs, and even tried diving under, although he mostly ended up with a mouth full of water and a lot of sneezing. It didn’t matter. Bibi was the happiest pup in the world.
He swam and splashed and played until he was tired, and then he stretched out on a smooth rock near the water’s edge, soaking up the slight breeze. The heat no longer bothered him; he was cool and content.
But then…
A shadow fell over him.
Bibi opened one eye and yelped in surprise.
There, standing with his hands on his hips and a not-so-happy look on his face, was Uncle Phong.
“Bibi!” Uncle Phong said sternly. “What are you doing here, little rascal?”
Bibi’s ears drooped. He tried to look innocent, but his wet fur and guilty eyes gave him away.
Uncle Phong knelt down and checked Bibi carefully to make sure he wasn’t hurt. After a moment, he sighed and patted Bibi gently on the head.
“You naughty pup,” Uncle Phong said, his voice softer now. “What if something had happened to you?”
Bibi licked Uncle Phong’s hand, his way of saying he was sorry.
Uncle Phong shook his head but smiled. He picked Bibi up and carried him back toward the house, the puppy curled happily in his arms, tail wagging.
As they walked, Uncle Phong said, “If you wanted to swim, you should have told me. We could go together next time. It’s much safer when you’re not alone.”
Bibi barked softly, as if agreeing. Maybe swimming was even more fun with a friend.
When they got home, Uncle Phong set up a little kiddie pool in the backyard just for Bibi. He filled it with cool water, and Bibi immediately jumped in, splashing and wagging his tail so hard that water sprayed everywhere.
Uncle Phong laughed, watching his furry friend have the time of his life.
From that day on, whenever the weather was too hot, Uncle Phong and Bibi would spend the afternoons swimming together — sometimes at the river, but often right there in the backyard. Uncle Phong even bought Bibi a bright red floatie shaped like a crab!
Bibi learned that adventures were much better — and much safer — when shared with someone you love. And though he still had the occasional sneaky idea, he always remembered Uncle Phong’s kind smile and the warm feeling of being cared for.
As the sun set and the cool night crept over the village, Bibi curled up next to Uncle Phong on the porch, tired but happy. His fur was still a little damp, and he smelled faintly of river water and sunshine.
Uncle Phong patted Bibi’s head gently and said, “Sleep well, little one. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Bibi wagged his tail once before drifting off into a dream, where the rivers were endless, the days were always sunny, and he and Uncle Phong swam together forever.
