TIKIRI PUBLISHERS

1490/8, Hokandara Road,

Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka.

Tel: +94 - 11 -2847438,

E-mail: tikiribooks@yahoo.com, Web: www.tikiri.com

Written & Illustrated by

Janaki Sooriyarachchi

TIKIRI PUBLISHERS

1490/8, Hokandara Road,

Pannipitiya, Sri Lanka.

Tel: +94 - 11 -2847438,

E-mail: tikiribooks@yahoo.com, Web: www.tikiri.com

First Edition 2002

Janaki Sooriyarachchi

ISBN: 955-8251-61-5

This book is dedicated tomy beloved mother

Printed by

C

3My BodyguardOne day, on my way home from school, I met a little puppy.

He was very sweet, but nobody wanted to take him home.

He was covered with dirt and he looked very sad.

He wagged his tail, as if he knew me very well.

I like you, I said.

I will take you home.

4Oh, what have you brought home? Hes so dirty,

cried Mummy. She was very angry.

But he wont be dirty after I give him a bath, I said softly.

5I took him to the tap in the garden and washed him

until he became very clean.

Oh, good, I said. Mummy will like you now.

Then he started shaking as if hes cold.

Oh! He needs warmth, I guessed.

I took him to my bedroom and wrapped him up in a towel.

Soon, he fell asleep.

6In the evening, I heard a noise from my bedroom.

Yap, yap, yap!

Oh! My little friend has woken up. I ran into the room.

What shall I call him...? Yes, Ill call him Yappy,

I said to myself.

Hello, Yappy! Come here, I called.

He ran to me at once.

W-What...?

Does he know English?

I was suprised.

7He wagged his tail and looked up at me.

He must be hungry. I guessed.

I gave him a bowl full of milk and he lapped it all up.

His tummy became

full and round.

8Then he pulled at my trouser leg, running back and forth.

Oh, he wants to play now. I guessed.

9So, we went outside and played the whole evening.

10

A few weeks later, he had grown up into a big dog.

He became my best friend.

He could understand what I said, and I could understand

what he said.

Yes, we could talk to each other!

I knew when he was hungry, angry, sleepy, or sad.

Yes, I knew.

I loved him so much and he loved me too.

And he looked after me.

Yes, he did.

11

He would not even let a little bird come close to me.

He would chase everyone away.

He was so jealous!

12

One day, we were walking along the road.

I, the master and he, the proud Yappy.

13

All at once, a big black dog jumped

in front of me, growling.

I was very frightened and I screamed.

There was no one around to help me.

I was terrified.

But... my Yappy was there.

14

He was so quick.

He ran at the big black dog and growled as I had

never heard before.

And he fought and fought with the big dog.

Oh, poor puppy! He was no match for the big dog.

I was very worried about him.

15

But..., do you know what happened at last...?

My brave Yappy won!!!

The big black dog got very scared and ran away

like a frightened puppy, with his tail between his legs.

Then, my Yappy came back to me like a hero.

Yes, indeed, he was a hero. He saved me.

I knew he really loved me very much.

16

I was so happy.

I was so proud of my bodyguard.

Yappy, The bodyguard!! My Bodyguard!!

I saluted him, like this.