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Billy and Kuri

The Helpful Robot That Brought Joy Into a Little Boy's Life

By Navin MahtaniPublished 6 years ago 7 min read
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“Dad!” yelled Billy.

“Yeah Billy, I'm coming,” I replied, as I stumbled out of bed, quietly, trying not to wake my wife.

I entered Billy’s room, and he was laying in bed, with his hands over his stomach.

“What's wrong, son?”

“My stomach hurts, Dad, really badly. I can’t fall asleep,” Billy muttered.

“Alright son, let's go down to the kitchen and get something that will help ease your stomach.”

I handed Billy his white stick and guided him downstairs, to the kitchen.

When we finished up in the kitchen, I helped Billy back into his room, and he eventually fell asleep.

When I got back to bed, my wife was awake.

“What’s wrong, hun? Is Billy okay?” Janice muttered, half asleep.

“Yeah babe, he’s okay, just had a stomach ache. He’s fine now, fast asleep.”

“Alright, goodnight hun,” said Janice.

“Goodnight, babe,” I replied.

As I laid there in bed, I couldn’t stop thinking. I had a million things running through my mind lately, but the most important thing was Billy. Billy was our only son, our pride & joy, but something was wrong with Billy these past few months. We haven’t seen Billy happy or smile in what seems like forever. Lately, he’s always been sad, and frustrated. Not to mention he’s been getting into more trouble than usual at school. I just wish there was something we could do to get our smiling, happy Billy, back.

The next morning was just like any other.

“Good morning, son. How are you feeling?”

“I’m okay,” Billy muttered faintly, as he sat down to eat his breakfast.

As Janice was hovering over the stove making breakfast, she glanced at me, giving me a look of concern and disappointment. These days, it seemed like Billy had no interest in talking to us about anything that was going on in his life. He just sat there, quietly eating his breakfast.

“Billy!” yelled Janice enthusiastically. “Today is Friday. Why don’t you have some of your friends come over after school to play?!”

"Well, I dunno may—" Just then the bus had arrived, and without finishing his sentence, Billy grabbed his bag, his white stick, and headed towards the door.

“Let me help you onto the bus, son,” I said.

“NOOO! I can do it myself!” yelled Billy, angrily.

He proceeded towards the bus, slowly, and was gone.

“Jack, we need to do something. I mean, how long can things just go on like this? Billy is so absent these days and doesn’t seem to care about anything," Janice said.

Janice proceeded to tell me about how yesterday she had gotten a call from Billy's school, and the principal told her Billy had gotten into another fight with one of the other disabled kids.

"I know babe, I know. But what can we do? It's killing me seeing him like this," I replied.

We talked a little more about what we could possibly do, but nothing...

I kissed Janice goodbye and was off to the university.

As I sat there in class listening to the lecture, I couldn't pay attention to anything the professor was saying. I was absent-minded, staring into space, thinking...

After class, Professor Woodson had called me over. He noticed I wasn't attentive and participating in class like I usually do, and asked what was wrong.

I couldn't help it, I broke down. I told Professor Woodson about Billy, and that he was blind and lately seemed so lonely and unhappy in life. I told him Billy's unhappiness had been taking a toll on my wife and I, and we had no idea what we could do to help.

Professor Woodson had been a robotics engineer for 20 years before he started teaching. He mentioned to me that he had just finished working on a new robot, and was looking for testers. He explained that the robot was meant to be a companion of sorts, and thought it might be good for Billy to test it out.

"It could possibly help Billy and keep him entertained," Professor Woodson said.

I was sold. I thought it was a great idea! I mean, why not give it a try?

Profesor Woodson went on to explain that as part of the testing, the robot would take pictures from time to time through its built-in camera, of the participants in the testing phase. This was so he could observe the reactions of the participants. The testing phase would last one week, at which point I would have to return the robot. I told him this was fine, and he said I could come to his office later that evening to pick up the robot.

As I was driving home later that night, I could not wait to give the robot to Billy.

"Billy!" I yelled as I walked through the door.

Billy was aimlessly sitting on the couch.

"Yeah, Dad, what's up?" said Billy.

"I have a surprise for you, son."

I took the robot out of the box, turned it on, and placed it in front of Billy.

"Hi, Billy. I'm Kuri," the robot said.

Billy was immediately intrigued, approached the robot, and started to touch and feel it.

"What is this, Dad?!" Billy said excitedly.

"This is Kuri, son. He's going to be your new friend for a while. He can help you out with things you need to do around the house, as well as play and talk to you.

"Wow, cool! Thanks, Dad!" Billy shouted.

Billy immediately took Kuri to his room and was playing with him all day.

Later that night, Janice and I passed Billy's room, and Kuri was reading Billy his favorite bedtime story. Billy looked relaxed and at ease.

Janice and I looked at each other, smiling.

Well, this was certainly a good start...

Throughout the week, Billy had the absolute best time with Kuri—singing, dancing, and playing outside. Things could not have gone better. Billy was happy, for the first time in a while.

The week had flown by quickly, and it was time to return Kuri to Professor Woodson. Billy was upset about this, but we had no choice.

When I went to Professor Woodson's office, I told him that Kuri was great and that Billy really enjoyed his company.

"That's great, Jack!" Professor Woodson replied. "I'm glad Billy was happy with Kuri."

"Would you like to see some of the pictures Kuri captured of Billy?" Professor Woodson asked.

"Absolutely!" I replied.

He proceeded to show me the pictures, one by one. The pictures were amazing. Pictures of Billy playing, dancing, and having a blast with Kuri.

He then showed me the last picture. It was of Billy, looking up into the sky with the sun shining down on him. He had the widest smile on his face. This picture gave me a warm feeling in my heart. I hadn't seen Billy this happy for the longest time. I couldn't help it, I started to tear up.

I, once again, thanked Professor Woodson and showed him my appreciation. I then proceeded to leave.

"Wait!" yelled Professor Woodson, as I was walking out the door.

"You know what, Jack? I think Billy should keep Kuri. It looks like Kuri has found his new home, and Billy has found his new best friend."

When Professor Woodson said this, I couldn't help but give him a hug and happily accepted.

"Thank you so much, Professor! This will make Billy's day!"

When I went home, there was Billy, again sitting on the couch, aimlessly.

"Billy, guess what?"

"Yeah, Dad, what's up?" Billy replied.

"I brought Kuri back, and he's here to stay! Kuri's now going to be a part of this family."

Billy jumped up with excitement and gave me the biggest hug.

"Thanks, Dad! I can't believe Kuri is back!"

Billy approached Kuri and gave Kuri a tight hug.

"Thanks for coming back, Kuri. I love you."

"I love you too, Billy," replied Kuri.

Later that night at dinner, Billy could not stop yacking about Kuri. He was also telling us about his day at school, and about the things he was learning.

After dinner, we were all sitting on the couch. Billy was in the corner with Kuri, dancing.

Janice and I glanced at each other, with a look of relief. The vibe in the house was suddenly uplifted.

"Our boy is back...," Janice said.

I looked at her and smiled.

science fiction
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About the Creator

Navin Mahtani

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