Good morning and welcome to this Sunday’s edition of the First Principles newsletter. 

Have you noticed how many words we have to describe problems? My taxi driver in Mumbai from a few weeks ago used at least three—lafda, locha, and panauti—to describe everything from the state of traffic to metro construction to the reliability of taxi business models. 

Back in Bengaluru, we’re going through an incredibly hot summer and I hope you’re all keeping safe. And if you can, spare a thought (better yet, some water and food) for the stressed animals and birds in your neighbourhood. 

For a few weeks now, I’ve taken to feeding a female dog and her four-to-five month old puppy after they made such a big deal of jumping around Gabru during his evening walks, tails wagging and ears folded down. The two are inseparable. I see them playing together, foraging for food, and resting in the shade of a small cottage during the hot days. At night, the puppy sleeps under the glare of a street light (maybe because he feels it’s safer?) and his mum lies a few feet away, keeping a watchful eye. 

The first day I gave them food I made the mistake of giving it in a single dish. The poor puppy was just so hungry and greedy that he gobbled up everything. The mum patiently waited by the side, wagging her tail at me but refusing to eat anything. 

Then, I bought a second dish so the little guy couldn’t monopolise the food. That did the trick, though he was so greedy he’d often switch from his dish to his mum’s midway. By then, my son also started accompanying me on our daily feeding trips. We started putting a few ice cubes in the water we gave them, and they loved it.

In just a few weeks, the puppy is already looking much healthier. But I also can’t help wondering how much longer the two of them are going to be together. The outside world is a brutal, unforgiving place and I wish the best for them. 

Such is summer. 

But summer is also about mangoes (still at peak!) and avocados (peaking) and getting fit (again) and holidaying.