The mercury had dropped to below zero. It was cold enough to freeze the blood in their veins, hence the people of the colony huddled in the warmth of their homes.

Among some nearby bushes, a bitch had given birth to a litter of puppies. Like round balls of white cotton wool, they cuddled around their mother, making distressed sounds of cold and hunger.

  The pathetic cries of the pups penetrated the walls of the houses and some people came out to investigate. They were overcome with pity at the sight of the shivering pups. Someone brought a blanket, another a cup of milk and some pieces of bread. But the pitiable cries continued.

A surge of pity made them pick up the pups, one by one, and take them into the warmth of their homes. The bitch looked on stoically as if aware that the men were acting with good intentions and her pups would be taken care of.

The frozen grip of winter tightened further, till it was feared that even the water in the pipes would freeze.

Then one morning there were sounds of commotion in the colony. Soon word spread that some one had abandoned a new born girl in the bushes.

There was surprise and curiosity. Whose baby was she? Who could have done such a cruel thing ? These questions were being passed from mouth to mouth. But no one cared to step out to check on the infant.

The police arrived to carry out an investigation. Accompanying them were eager journalists in search of path-breaking news. Some curious men from the colony also hurried after them. As they neared the bushes where the baby was lying, they were startled to see the bitch curled up next to the baby in an effort to keep her warm. When she saw the approaching men she glared at them and growled deep in her throat as a warning for them to stay away.