Pip and the Puppy

Pip was a bright blue police car with a shiny badge on his doors. His lights could flash red and blue like a cheerful dance. Officer Lina drove gently and waved to everyone. "Good morning, Sunshine Town!" she said as they rolled down Main Street.

At the park, a small green scooter wobbled beside them. The scooter had a tiny bell that went ting-ting. "Hi," said the scooter. "Im Sprout. Im new here."

Pips engine purred. "Im Pip. This is Officer Lina. We help people. Do you like helping?"

Sprouts bell rang softly. "Yes, but Im little. What if I cant?"

Officer Lina smiled. "Big friends and small friends both help in their own way."

Just then, the radio crackled. "Officer Lina, this is the market. Noodle the puppy ran off near the flower stand! Hes scared and hiding."

Pips lights blinked. Not loud, not scaryjust a friendly flash. "Lets go," he said.

They zipped to the market. The air smelled like warm muffins from Baker Rosas shop. Pink and yellow flowers made a rainbow by the sidewalk. People moved aside when they saw Pip. "Its okay," Officer Lina called kindly. "Were just looking for a little pup."

Under the flower stand, a tiny nose peeked out. It wiggled and sniffed. A brown-and-white puppy with floppy ears stared at them with big eyes.

"Noodle!" said Officer Lina. "Hi there, friend."

Noodle made a small whimper and scooted backward into a narrow gap by a gate.

Sprout peered into the gap. "I can fit there," he whispered. He rang his bell, ting-ting, very softly. "Hi, Noodle. Im Sprout. Its okay."

Pip kept his lights on low so cars knew to slow down. He turned his siren all the way off. "Well be quiet and gentle," he said.

Baker Rosa came out with a tiny biscuit. "For courage," she said. "Puppies like snacks."

Officer Lina crouched and placed the biscuit at the edge of the gap. "Ill stay still. Sprout, can you talk to Noodle? Pip, can you watch the street?"

"Yes!" Pip rumbled. He parked across the curb so no one would roll too close. He winked his lights at the drivers, and they smiled and waited.

Sprout rang his bell again, ting-ting. "Youre safe," he whispered. "Were your friends. The biscuit smells yummy."

Noodle sniffed. One paw crept forward. The puppy licked the biscuit, then took a tiny step. Another step. Sprout backed up slowly, like a leaf floating away on a pond.

Just then, a bouncy ball rolled from the playground. Noodle jumped and darted toward the street.

"Ive got you!" Pip said. He rolled gently, making a soft whoop like a whisper and stopping across the edge of the road. His doors were a safe wall. Cars waited. A bike rang a happy bell.

Officer Lina reached out with calm hands. "Hi, Noodle. Youre okay." She scooped the puppy up. Noodles tail wagged so fast it was like a little broom.

A little girl with curly hair ran up with her grandma. "Noodle!" she cried. "Thank you!"

Noodle licked Officer Linas cheek and then Sprouts handlebar. Sprout giggled. "That tickles!"

"Teamwork," Pip hummed. "Big and small. Loud and quiet."

Baker Rosa brought out a bowl of water for Noodle and two stickers shaped like gold stars. "For Pip and Sprout," she said.

Officer Lina pressed a star on Pips hood. She stuck the other on Sprouts bell. "You were brave and kind," she said. "Sunshine Town is lucky to have friends like you."

They drove back down Main Street together. The sun sparkled on Pips lights. Sprout rode beside him, ringing, ting-ting, proud and steady.

"Pip?" Sprout asked.

"Yes, friend?" Pip said.

"I thought helping meant being big," Sprout said. "But it means being there."

Pips engine purred. "And were here," he said, "together."

They rolled on, ready for the next hello, the next wave, and the next little problem they could solve as friends.