Rain stitched silver lines across the neighborhood street. Niko pulled a tiny pouch from a coat pocket.
Plip! A pocket-sized rainstorm splashed out, sprinkling Niko’s shoes. A bright puddle popped open at the child’s feet.
Niko carried the little storm toward the neighborhood gardens. Drip, drop, drip—the rain followed close behind.
Each puddle wobbled under the gray sky. Niko watched the shiny circles grow, one drip at a time.
At last, Niko reached a thirsty garden. Drooping flowers leaned over dusty soil, waiting beneath the rainless patch.
Niko tipped the pouch. The rainstorm sneezed, “A-CHOO!” and rolled beneath the fence.
Niko crawled after the runaway storm. “Come back!” the child called, holding the pouch beside the flowers.
Drop by drop, Niko shared every bit of rain. The flowers lifted their heads as the soil darkened.
Pop, pop! Bright petals opened all around. Niko grinned at the sudden colors.
The pouch was empty, so Niko let it swing from one hand. Behind the child, the garden bloomed beside the puddles.
Tap, tap, tap. Rain applauded on the street as Niko walked home beneath the cloudy evening sky.
At the garden gate, bright petals nodded in the rain. Niko’s empty pouch swung once more: swish, swish.