Today is rana's Thank-You Day! At the kitchen table, rana draws a little stack of thank-you cards — crayon hearts, suns and rainbows on every one. Who will get the very first card?
One, two, three… every single card goes into the little canvas satchel. rana pulls on shoes at the sunny front door. The morning smells like flowers. Off we go!
"Thank you for bringing our letters every day!" rana stands on tiptoe and gives the very first card to the mail carrier. His eyes go all crinkly with the biggest smile.
The satchel feels a little lighter, but the heart feels a whole lot warmer — warm like sunshine. rana skips down the leafy path, and two butterflies come dancing along behind.
"Thank you for the sweet apples!" rana reaches up over the shiny fruit and hands the grandma a card covered in hearts. She presses it to her chest like a treasure.
"Thank you for keeping our street so clean!" rana holds up a card sparkling with crayon stars. The street sweeper smiles so big that his bushy moustache wiggles up and down.
All the cards are given away. On a park bench under the big tree, rana peeks into the satchel — empty! But rana's heart feels full right up to the brim.
On the way home, the sunset paints the sky orange and pink. rana hums a little song, swinging the empty satchel. What a sweet, sweet day it has been.
Oh! On the doorstep sits a little basket — a card with a big crayon smiley, and a shiny red apple. rana gasps and picks it up ever so gently. A thank-you... for rana!
Tucked in bed, rana smiles at the smiley card glowing on the nightstand. When you give thanks away, thanks comes flying back. Goodnight, rana — tomorrow holds many more thank-yous!
