The sky had turned dark much earlier than usual. Heavy clouds gathered above, rumbling with thunder, and the wind howled through the trees. Inside the little house, Monkey Lyly sat by the window, her small hands pressed against the cold glass. Her big eyes stared out into the stormy world, searching for one face—Mom’s.
Mom had gone to the market earlier that day, promising to be home before evening. But now, the rain was pouring down in thick sheets, lightning flashed across the sky, and Lyly’s heart beat faster with every roll of thunder. She hugged her favorite blanket tightly, trying to feel safe, but it was hard when she didn’t know where her mother was.
Each time a shadow moved past the window, Lyly jumped up, hoping it was Mom. Each time, her hope faded. The loud bangs of thunder made her flinch, and the wind rattling the roof made her ears twitch. She tried to stay brave, but a few quiet tears rolled down her cheeks. “Please come home soon, Mommy,” she whispered.
To calm herself, Lyly gathered her stuffed animals around her and pretended they were all waiting for their moms too. She spoke softly to them, “Don’t worry, she’ll be back soon. Moms always come home.”
Just then, a soft knock at the door broke through the storm. Lyly’s ears perked up. She ran to the door and opened it, and there stood Mom—soaked from the rain but smiling warmly. Lyly threw herself into her mother’s arms, crying with relief.
“I’m so sorry I’m late, sweetheart,” Mom said gently, wiping the raindrops from Lyly’s face. “The storm came so fast, but I hurried home.”
That night, cuddled together under a warm blanket, Lyly felt safe again. The storm still raged outside, but in her mother’s arms, she knew everything would be okay.
