Hung was a good boy. He was loyal, friendly, and loved to play fetch. But Hung had a secret. He thought he was ugly. His fur was a dull brown, his ears were floppy, and his tail was a bit short. Every time he saw a dog with shiny fur or perky ears, his heart would sink a little.
Today was Hung’s birthday. He knew it because his human, Maria, always made a fuss on this day. She would bake him special treats and take him to the park for a long walk. But today was different. Maria was busy, and Hung was alone.
As the day wore on, Hung grew more and more despondent. No one had wished him happy birthday. Not Maria, not the mailman, not even the friendly squirrel in the park. He curled up in his favorite spot, under the old oak tree, and began to cry.
“Why is everyone ignoring me?” he whimpered to himself. “Am I really that ugly? Does nobody love me?”
Just as he was about to give up hope, he heard a soft voice. “Happy birthday, Hung.”
Hung looked up, startled. A little girl, no older than five, was standing in front of him, a bouquet of wildflowers in her hand.
“You’re not ugly at all,” she said, her eyes sparkling with sincerity. “You’re the best dog in the whole world.”
Hung’s tail wagged for the first time that day. Maybe he wasn’t as ugly as he thought. Maybe, just maybe, someone did love him.
As the little girl knelt down to pet him, Hung realized something important. Beauty wasn’t about looks. It was about being kind, loyal, and full of love. And he was all of those things.
With a newfound confidence, Hung licked the little girl’s hand. After all, today was his birthday, and he deserved to celebrate.
And so, Hung, the supposedly ugly dog, had the best birthday ever. He got a bouquet of wildflowers, a new friend, and a much-needed boost of self-esteem.
As the sun began to set, casting long shadows over the park, Hung looked up at the sky, feeling happier than he ever had before. Maybe, just maybe, there was hope for even the ugliest dog.
