BLAME IT ON ELSA

As soon as Kriti came home from school, her pet dog Elsa began barking excitedly. She spun around in delight, stood on her hind legs, and tried to lick Kriti's face. Kriti laughed and said, "I get it! You missed me, Elsa, and I missed you too! Today is Valentine's Day, and I have a special gift for you."

- Vandana Gupta

She reached into her bag, took out a chew-toy and gave it to Elsa, who grabbed it in her mouth, settled into her favourite spot, under the big cupboard. It made Kriti think of what had happened at their house a few months back.

One morning, Avi cried out, "Mom, I'm getting late for school, and I can't find one of my socks!"

"Kriti, please help your brother find his socks. I'm busy packing your lunches," Mom called out from the kitchen.

Manju, their household help, who was quite aware of Elsa's habits, said, "I saw a sock under the big cupboard." Avi reached under the big cupboard and pulled his sock out. But as he started to wear it, he yelled, "There's a big hole in it! How can I wear this?" Mom came out of the kitchen and placed their lunchboxes on the table. She then took the sock, and dangled it in front of Elsa's face. "Elsa! Did you chew this? Stop being naughty, or I'll punish you!" Mom scolded her.

Hearing her name in an angry tone, Elsa tucked her tail between her legs and ran under the bed.

Avi wore another pair of socks and left for school.

The next day, Dad was sitting at the table with papers spread out, searching frantically for something.

"Children, have you seen my blue file? I had kept it right here!" he asked Kriti and Avi.

"No Papa," they answered, and began searching for it.

"I can see something blue, under there," Manju said, pointing to the big cupboard.

Avi slipped his hand under the cupboard and pulled out a bunch of ripped papers, and a damaged blue folder. "They are torn!" he cried.