Every morning, before the sun fully rises and the city awakens, Rehan sets up his small food cart at the corner of Main Street. The air is cool, and a gentle mist lingers, but soon the warmth from his steaming pots begins to fill the atmosphere with the comforting aroma of freshly cooked rice, lentils, and spiced curries.
Rehan isn’t a rich man. His food cart is old, patched together with rusty bolts and worn wood. But it’s enough to earn him a living and serve the neighborhood workers who flock to him for hearty meals they can afford.
But Rehan’s first customer each day isn’t human.
As the pots begin to bubble and the clinking of metal bowls fills the quiet street, a familiar sound reaches his ears—the soft padding of tiny paws.
Out of the shadows, a skinny, stray dog appears, its fur dusty and rough, its body frail from hunger. Yet, there’s something resilient in its amber eyes.
“Good morning, friend,” Rehan greets with a gentle smile. He reaches into a small container where he keeps a special portion of food just for his visitor. As he lays the food on a clean piece of cardboard, the dog’s tail wags cautiously, eyes still wary but hopeful.
The dog eats quickly but never greedily, as if aware that kindness is something to be cherished, not exploited. And every morning, when the meal is finished, it looks up at Rehan, its gaze filled with a gratitude beyond words.
Weeks pass, then months. The dog—now named Lucky by Rehan—grows stronger. Its fur turns glossy, its eyes brighter. And every morning, Lucky waits patiently by the food cart, never missing their ritual.
But one day, Rehan doesn’t arrive. His cart doesn’t rattle down the street. His familiar voice doesn’t hum a tune as he prepares the food. Lucky waits, and waits, but the street remains empty.
Days later, Rehan returns, his face pale and his arm wrapped in a sling. An accident, he explains to the curious neighbors. His savings spent on hospital bills, his strength still wavering.
But even in his weakness, he brings food for Lucky. With trembling hands, he places it on the usual spot. Lucky approaches slowly, nuzzling Rehan’s leg with concern and affection.
Rehan smiles weakly. “Even when the world forgets you, you never forget me, do you?”
From that day on, their bond only grows stronger. Lucky becomes more than just a stray—he becomes Rehan’s loyal companion, guarding his cart and staying by his side during the long, exhausting days.
The neighborhood begins to notice. Customers who once ignored the scrappy dog now offer it gentle pats and leftover scraps. And as Rehan’s business improves, he makes sure Lucky is never without food or affection.
What started as a simple act of kindness became a friendship that neither of them could live without. And every morning, as Rehan sets up his cart, he is greeted by a familiar wagging tail—a reminder that kindness, no matter how small, always finds its way back.