Max, the Reluctant Retriever

Max was not your typical dog. While most golden retrievers were known for their boundless energy and enthusiasm, Max approached life with the slow deliberation of a well-fed house cat. He believed in conserving energy—specifically, all of it.

His owners, Emma and Jack, were convinced he was part sloth. Walks were a delicate negotiation. The moment his leash clicked on, Max would dramatically flop onto the floor, looking up with soulful eyes that seemed to say, "Are you sure this is necessary?"

One particularly sunny Saturday, Emma decided enough was enough. “Max, today you’re going to experience the joy of fetch!” she announced with forced optimism. Jack chuckled from the porch, already predicting the outcome.

Armed with Max’s favorite squeaky ball, Emma tossed it across the yard with dramatic flair. The ball bounced energetically, landing a good distance away. Max lifted his head lazily, watching the ball’s journey like a bored moviegoer observing a dull action scene.

“Fetch!” Emma called enthusiastically.

Max yawned.

“Max! Go get it!” she urged, clapping her hands.

With the reluctance of someone asked to work overtime on a Sunday, Max rose slowly. He stretched, walked over to the ball at a glacial pace, and—just when Emma felt a flicker of hope—lay down next to it, resting his chin on the toy like it was a plush pillow.

Defeated but amused, Emma laughed. Jack called from the porch, “Looks like Max retrieved his comfort zone!”

Max wagged his tail approvingly. As far as he was concerned, he had performed admirably

EN

Common sentences:

1. "Call it a day": To decide to stop working or doing an activity.

2. "Better late than never": It's better to do something late than not at all.

3. "Hit the nail on the head": To describe something exactly or correctly.

4. "Keep your chin up": Stay positive in a difficult situation.

5. "Let the cat out of the bag": To reveal a secret or surprise unintentionally.