September 4, 2026
All rights reserved by the author
Our neighbour’s dog, Bruno, is a large golden retriever with the courage of a lion—provided there is no vacuum cleaner in the room.
Yesterday, his owner decided to clean the living room.
The moment the vacuum started, Bruno disappeared.
We found him five minutes later behind the curtains.
Only his nose was visible.
His owner called him.
Nothing.
She offered him a biscuit.
One eye appeared.
Another biscuit.
Bruno emerged halfway, collected the biscuit and immediately returned behind the curtain.
By then, everyone was laughing.
The vacuum moved towards the sofa.
Bruno moved towards the door.
The vacuum moved left.
Bruno moved right.
It was becoming less like cleaning and more like a carefully choreographed dance.
Finally, the machine was switched off.
Bruno came out, stretched himself, and walked into the middle of the room as if he had personally defeated the enemy.
He looked at all of us.
I am almost certain he expected applause.
Nobody said anything.
We simply clapped.
Bruno wagged his tail.
Some victories, after all, deserve recognition.
Rajat Chandra Sarmah
Guwahati , Assam , India
musingofrajat.wordpress.com 