They were heading home from the park.
The sky grew dark. Clouds gathered overhead.
"Mom, we don't have an umbrella," said Selenga.
"We don't," her mom replied.
"It looks like it's going to rain."
“It does.”
“Should we run?”
Mom stopped. She thought for a moment.
“No.”
Why Not?
“Why not?” asked Selenga.
“Because walking in the rain is beautiful.”
"We'll get wet."
“We will.”
"We'll be cold."
“A little.”
“And there will be mud.”
“There will be.”
Selenga looked up at her. “But why do it anyway?”
“Because you and I are here. And the rain is coming. And this moment might never happen again.”
The Rain Begins
The first drop fell on Selenga's nose.
Then her forehead.
Then her hair.
Selenga stopped. She felt it.
Cold. But a pleasant kind of cold.
Mom took her hand. They walked slowly.
The rain grew heavier. Thin lines became thick drops.
Selenga walked with wet hair and half-closed eyes, taking in every moment.
Look Closely
“Mom, look,” said Selenga.
Water was pooling everywhere around them.
“See how each drop makes circles.”
Every raindrop created a tiny ring when it landed. Then it disappeared. Then another drop. Another ring.
“Endless circles,” said Selenga.
“Endless,” agreed Mom.
“And each one is different.”
“Each one is different.”
The Puddle
Selenga came to the edge of a puddle.
She stopped.
She looked at her mom.
Mom smiled. “Go ahead.”
“Really?”
“Once in your life, you need to jump in a puddle.”
Selenga jumped.
Water splashed everywhere. Her shoes got soaked. Her socks were drenched.
And Selenga laughed. She laughed so hard.
Mom laughed too.
Both of them wet, both laughing, right there in the middle of the street.
Back Home
They arrived home dripping wet.
They took off their shoes. They grabbed towels.
Mom rubbed Selenga's hair dry with a towel.
“How was that?”
“The most beautiful rain ever.”
“Why?”
Selenga thought about it.
“Because you were with me. And you let me.”
Mom kept rubbing her hair dry.
“Actually, I needed your permission too.”
“Mine? How?”
"You jumped in that puddle with such joy. I got to watch you. That's all I needed."
A Note for Parents
Next time it rains, leave the umbrella behind. Just for a few minutes. Jump in puddles with your child. Live this story — you won't need to read it to them anymore.