Some people requested that I translate the previous story, so here you are:
*************
Short story for young children.
Once upon a time, there was a little girl named Coquelicot (Poppy).
She was given that name because she always smiled like a flower caressed by the sun, and also because she had brightly colored red hair.
She was six years old and she was always hanging out with a dog going by the name of Loustic (Joker).
Loustic was only two but he was much stronger and he could run much faster than Coquelicot.
Loustic and Coquelicot were friends because Coquelicot always understood what Loustic said.
Grownups don’t understand the language of animals, but some children can and Coquelicot was one of these special children.
Loustic also understood everything that Coquelicot said, but sometimes when he didn’t want to, he pretended that he did not understand.
Since she lived close to a forest, one day Coquelicot decided to go mushroom picking.
She left her house, escorted by Loustic who went scouting ahead.
A little later, while busily picking mushrooms, Coquelicot forgot about Loustic who disappeared checking some mysterious scents.
Suddenly she heard a noise behind her, in the bushes.
She turned around and saw something looking like a big pig with very stiff hair.
The beast looked at her and grunted.
Coquelicot got scared and screamed “Loustic, help, help!”
Loustic came running and asked “arf, arf?” which everybody knows means “what, what?”
There is a big beast that really scared me Loustic…
A big beast? Arf, arf? (which can also mean: Where? Where?)
Behind me, in the bushes…
Don’t move Coquelicot, I’ll take care of him.
And he disappeared running and barking very loudly.
He came back a little later and declared: the enemy has been routed!
Coquelicot kissed him and gave him a mushroom as a reward.
Loustic did not really like mushrooms, but he pretended that he did.
A few minutes later though, he discreetly spit out everything he had in his mouth.
Coquelicot kissed him again and Loustic kissed her back with his big red tongue.
Thank you Loustic, said Coquelicot, you saved my life.
Of course Coquelicot. You are my best friend!
The end.
Alain