The Dog at the Station

Sota was waiting at the station after school. He was looking at the train board when a small dog sat beside his shoes. The dog had a red collar.

“Where is your owner?” Sota asked. The dog did not answer, but it touched Sota's bag with its nose. A small tag on the collar showed a picture of bread. Under the picture was the number 713.

Sota remembered a bakery near the north exit. He walked slowly, and the dog followed him. People smiled because the dog looked very proud.

At the bakery, a woman cried, “Pochi!” The dog ran to her. She said, “He was missing for one hour. Thank you for bringing him back.”

The woman gave Sota a warm roll. Pochi sat politely and watched. Sota shared a tiny piece, but only after the woman said it was okay.

After that, Sota stopped by the bakery every Friday. Pochi always waited near the door. This time, everyone knew where he belonged. One evening, an unfamiliar station worker noticed the tag and told the dog, “You are one stop too early.” Sota turned to ask what he meant, but the worker was already gone.