Peter's Defiance (730 words)

                                           (A story that will leave a smile in your face)

It was a day care for kids. With more than a dozen kids in her care, Lolita was busy daily except weekends. She had a young maid to assist her. The toddlers and children came around 8 am and were picked up by 3 pm by one of their parents.. There were many toys, dolls, building blocks, toy trains and even a play area with slides and swings. They were given materials for drawing, colouring, and picture books for reading. They could play till 11 am when they have something to eat and then sleep for two hours on the beds assigned to each. Though noisy, the kids were generally obedient and never threw any tantrums. They may sometimes resist eating or going to bed but they typically yield to gentle persuasion.

  Lolita’s neighbour Agnes came this morning with Peter and requested, " Lolita, I have to leave in a short while on some urgent work to the next town and expect to return by 5 pm. My husband is on tour. My maid has played truant today. Would it be possible for you to take care of Peter in my absence? I am sure he would not give you trouble.”

However, Peter demonstrated his unwillingness to stay with Lolita. He snuggled close to Agnes preventing her from leaving till he finally relented after she sat by his side cajoling and pampering him.

Lolita knew from his face that he had not taken kindly to her. He didn’t mingle with other children even when they exhibited interest in playing with him. He stood glum for a while as he stood uncertainly. Tears were in the corner of his eyes as he looked at the closed front door. This is perhaps the first time Agnes had left him behind.

The other children were enjoying playing games or sliding or swinging. Some were busy colouring the pages. One boy climbed up the stairs two or three steps and jumped down. Suddenly Peter jumped on the sofa standing on his legs.

“Peter, get down, dear. No standing on the sofa. They will get dirty” Lolita said, her voice gentle but firm. 

She sighed when he ignored her and bounced on the sofa like a madcap. The rest of the children stopped playing and watched curiously with subdued mirth at his disobedience. Lolita obviously could not permit this defiance in front of other toddlers. She grabbed him by his ear and brought him down. 

He went near the front door with a mournful look that showed hostility. He did not respond when the kids called him. Lolita decided she would no longer agree to keep him. She was after all doing this day care work as social service to the community.

When it was time for a food break Lolita kept some food and milk. While most children ate with relish, some did unwillingly with grim faces. But no one refused except Peter. He would not touch the food and instead turned his face towards the door expecting Agnes to return. When Lolita forced him, he scampered around and spilt the milk on the floor. Lolita turned towards the children and asked them to go to the main hall. She forced Peter to stay back.

“C’mon, Peter, I say eat the food kept for you. You are spoiling other children with your bad behaviour.” Lolita, who was normally patient with children, sighed in dismay at Peter's testing her patience to her limit.

He kept mum even after repeated cajoling. She did not get the obvious hint, that he was unhappy to be here and wanted to return to his home. There was nothing she could do to make him eat. It was time for sleep. While some children went to sleep promptly, a few pretended to sleep while watching Peter through the corners of their eyes.

It was around 2 pm the buzzer rang. Surprised who it could be so early, Lolita went to open the door with Peter following her. On seeing Agnes enter, Peter leapt into her arms, tail wagging furiously, his bark ‘bow-wow…bow-wow, echoing through the quiet daycare. Agnes knelt to rub his belly, and Lolita could only stare, her exhaustion finally giving way to a rueful smile. Lolita heaved a great sigh of relief and turned to Peter only to see the hostility had vanished and his tail wagged happily.