Robert the Hero Vacuum Cleaner

A typical suburban family lived in a house on the outskirts of the big city, and there they had a robotic vacuum cleaner called Robert. It was no ordinary vacuum cleaner found in any hardware store. Robert had a head! It even resembled a big, round head. He could talk, think, and was a real pedant. He hated dust, mess, and any dirt tracked into the house.

Perhaps there was something magical about the house because other talking appliances lived there, too. They came to life whenever either of the two children or their parents slammed the door behind them.

One of them was the talkative microwave Mima. Another was Patricia, the washing machine, who was a little confused and yet very nice. Then there was the dishwasher, Ursula, who everyone considered a “serious aunt”. Lastly, there was Taylor the Television, always spreading news and gossip.

One sunny Saturday, the family took off on an excursion and left the house in the hands of the appliances.

“Finally, a quiet day,” Taylor was so pleased. “No children’s series or sports channels, I’m broadcasting only silence today!”

On the other hand, Robert had a full slate of work. He usually got switched on in an empty house. Robert was cleaning the dog hair off the living room carpet when he heard Mima the Microwave calling from the kitchen:

“Ursula! You’ve had an accident!”

Sitting high on the countertop, the microwave had the best view of the entire room, so she immediately noticed the strange puddle on the floor.

Robert immediately turned his head back and started for the kitchen. As he got closer, what did he see? Water was pouring out from under the dishwasher door!

“What? What accident?” Ursula responded, indignant.…