The Kindness Of Strangers

Written for MLMM Monday Wordle;
Di’s prompt words are shown here:

crutch, wool, warmth, settle, kind, dog,
lonely, secure, push, hand, slip, press

October had turned the maple outside Blanche’s window the color of embers. Since her fall on the icy porch last winter, she had leaned on a crutch and on the habit of staying in; the house had grown lonely around her.

That afternoon, a scruffy dog appeared at the gate, ribs showing, tail low. Blanche hesitated; she’d never seen that dog before. He might not be the friendly kind. Then she realized the poor pooch was probably down on his luck and in need of a friend; that was something she could relate to. Blanche decided to take a chance. She took the steps slowly, careful not to slip on the wet leaves. She reached out to push the gate open with her free hand and that scraggly stray didn’t hesitate for a second!

He followed Blanche inside as if he’d been waiting just for her. She folded her old wool cardigan into a make-shift bed beside the radiator and he circled three times before deciding it was safe to settle in. Blanche reached down, gave him a little reassuring pat, and felt his cold, wet nose press against her arm.

Outside, the wind scattered gold across the yard. Inside, Blanche felt something she hadn’t felt in months: the quiet, secure warmth of being needed.

NAR©2026
#MLMM
#Wordle

This is “You’ve Got A Friend In Me” by Randy Newman

MLMM Monday Wordle #499

^{Everything on The Elephant’s Trunk was created by me, unless otherwise indicated, and may not be used without permission. Thanks for your consideration. NAR©2017-present.}