Lucy had a day full of errands to run both in and out of town today. She wanted to get everything done before the weekend, and to enjoy some free time. She made a list of the errands she had to do, and crossed them off as she completed them. Max followed her everywhere, watching and waiting for the times he might be able to join her.
The first errand on the list was to go to the bank. Lucy took her wallet and keys, and got into her car. She drove to the nearest branch, and parked in front of it. She got out of the car, and locked it.
Max hated the car. He thought it was a noisy and smelly cage that trapped him. He whined at it, and scratched it. He tried to get out of it, and follow Lucy.
Whine! Whine! Whine! Let me out, you big metal beast! You’re making me dizzy! You’re taking me away from my home, my bed, my toys! You’re taking me away from Lucy! I need to be with her! I’ll protect her! I’ll follow her! Whine! Whine! Whine!
Lucy tried to reassure him, and told him to stay. She said, “Max, stop whining! It’s just a car. It’s not going to hurt you. Stay here, boy, I’ll be right back.”
Max did not listen. He kept whining and scratching at the car. He thought he was saving Lucy from the danger. He did not understand why Lucy left him alone. He wished he could go with her.
No! No! No! Don’t leave me, Lucy! You’re in trouble! It’s dangerous out there! There are strangers, cars, noises! You need me by your side! I’m your best friend! I’m your guardian! I have to find you! I have to rescue you! Whine! Whine! Whine!
The second errand on the list was to go to the grocery store. Lucy took a shopping cart, and entered the store. She picked up the items she needed, and put them in the cart. She checked the prices, and looked for discounts.
Max liked the grocery store. He thought it was a paradise full of smells and tastes. He sniffed at it, and drooled over it. He tried to reach it, and eat it.
Sniff sniff sniff… Wow… What’s this? It smells amazing… It smells like food… It smells like Lucy’s food… And my food… And other things… What are they? Can I taste them? Can I eat them? Let me taste… Let me reach this thing… How do I reach it? Where’s the handle? Where’s the button? How does Lucy do it?
Lucy chuckled at him, and said, “Max, you’re such a hungry dog. You can’t eat the groceries. They’re not for you. Wait until we get home, then you can have your food.”
Max waited eagerly for Lucy to finish her shopping. He heard her pay, and wagged his tail. He wanted to eat the groceries. He hoped there would be some treats for him.
Beep beep beep… Yum! Yum! Yum! Let me eat! Let me eat! Give me the groceries, Lucy! Give me what’s inside this cart! Maybe there’s some meat for me… Or some cheese… Or some cookies… Oh, I love cookies… Please give me cookies… Please please please…
The third errand on the list was to go to the vet. Lucy took Max’s leash, and clipped it on his collar. She walked him to the vet’s office, and checked in at the reception.
Max hated the vet. He thought it was a scary place full of pain and needles. He growled at it, and pulled away from it. He tried to avoid it, and run away from it.
Grrr grrr grrr… No! No! No! Let me go, you big white monster! You’re making me hurt! You’re poking me with needles, touching me with cold things, looking at me with weird eyes! You’re trying to hurt me! You’re trying to hurt Lucy! I won’t let you! I’ll fight you! I’ll bite you! Grrr grrr grrr!
Lucy tried to soothe him, and told him to calm down. She said, “Max, stop growling! It’s just a vet. It’s not going to hurt you. Come here, boy, let me check your health.”
Max did not listen. He kept growling and pulling away from the vet. He thought he was defending himself from the enemy. He did not understand why Lucy brought him here. He wished he could go home.
No! No! No! Don’t trust Lucy! She’s making a mistake! She’s bringing me to the enemy! It’s lying to her! It’s pretending to be good! It’s not good! It’s bad! It’s evil! I have to escape! I have to get out of here! Grrr grrr grrr!
Partially created utilising Bing AI… with adjustments needed by myself to get it how I wanted it to be.
Image: Bing Text-to-image AI
Reading Short Stories/Content for English Learners 
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