The sky darkened faster than Lala had ever seen before. One moment the afternoon was filled with warm sunlight, and the next, heavy clouds gathered, swallowing the light and bringing an eerie silence. Lala, curious yet cautious, stood near the window as the first raindrops tapped against the glass. But within minutes, the gentle rain turned into a furious downpour, and the wind howled as if the earth itself was crying out.
Her little hands trembled as she pressed them against the glass. Trees bent violently under the force of the wind, branches snapping like fragile twigs. The street outside her home quickly began to flood, water rushing down with frightening speed. Lala’s heart pounded. She had never seen nature unleash such power, and for the first time, she felt truly small and helpless.
A loud crash startled her, and she screamed. The neighbor’s roof had partly torn away, pieces flying dangerously through the air. Lala backed away from the window, clutching her stuffed toy tightly for comfort. Her eyes were wide with panic—what if her own house was next?
Her mother rushed to her side, pulling her into a warm embrace. “It’s okay, sweetheart. We’re safe,” she whispered, though Lala could feel the fear in her mother’s shaking hands. Together, they sat away from the windows, listening to the storm roar outside. Every thunderclap rattled the walls, and every gust of wind made the whole house groan.
When the storm finally began to weaken, Lala tiptoed back to the window. The world she knew looked so different. Trees were down, fences broken, and debris scattered everywhere. Though the sight was heartbreaking, she also noticed something beautiful—neighbors checking on one another, people helping clear the streets, and families holding each other close.
Lala realized that even in the scariest storms, kindness and love were stronger than destruction.
