Hello,
My name is Jacqueline and I'm a very proud grandma.
I write stories for my grandchildren and I'm very happy to share them with you too.
So make yourself comfortable,
Settle back because my next story is about to begin.
Louis and the rain.
It had been raining all day and Louis was not happy about it.
He wanted to play outside with his new football but his mum had said he must wait until the rain stopped.
Louis was sitting by the window in the lounge,
Hugging his football as he watched the rain continue to fall.
Before long he heard his mum say,
It's time for bed Louis,
But he was trying to ignore her.
Louis,
Did you hear me?
Asked mum,
It's time for bed.
Louis couldn't believe it.
Oh mum,
He cried,
I can't go to bed yet because I'm waiting to play outside with my new football.
But it's your bedtime sweetheart,
Mum said gently and it really doesn't look like the rain is going to stop today.
Hopefully it will by tomorrow morning when you wake up.
Louis huffed as he dropped his football and stomped upstairs.
As his mum tucked him in bed,
Louis asked,
Why do we need rain?
To make things grow,
Replied mum.
I hate rain,
Said Louis crossly.
It just makes everything wet and I can't go outside to play.
Well fingers crossed the sun will shine tomorrow,
Said mum as she kissed him goodnight.
And then you can play outside for as long as you wish.
Louis snuggled into his bed and yawned.
Being cross always made him feel extra tired.
Night mum,
He mumbled as he closed his eyes.
Night sweetheart,
Sleep well.
And she turned off the light and closed the door behind her.
Louis,
Why do you look so cross?
Asked Molly as they strapped themselves into the seats inside the rocket.
Because it's rained all day and I couldn't go outside to play with my new football,
Louis grumpily replied.
Well that's a silly thing to be cross about,
Said Molly as she flicked and twiddled the switches and knobs on the control panel.
Well I don't see the point of rain,
Snapped Louis.
I wish the sun would shine every day and there was no such thing as rain.
You would miss the rain if it never came,
Said Molly,
Making the final checks before take off.
I don't think so,
Said Louis.
He was convinced rain was not necessary because all he could think about was being able to play football whenever he wanted to.
Rain is very important,
Said Molly as the rocket burst into life.
Let me show you why.
And the countdown began.
Five,
Four,
Three,
Two,
One and the rocket blasted off out of Louis' bedroom and up into the sky.
Louis settled back for the ride.
He had no idea where they were going but he always enjoyed the adventures that he had with Molly.
It wasn't too long before the rocket landed and they both undid their seatbelts.
Come on,
Said Molly,
Opening the rocket door and leading the way outside.
I want to show you why rain is so important for all of us.
Louis stepped out onto sandy ground which was very squishy underfoot.
All around him and as far out as he could see was wavy dunes and tons of sand.
The only vegetation appeared thorny and sparse in numbers and the sun was beating down.
We're in the desert,
Said Molly.
What do you think?
It's so lovely and hot,
Exclaimed Louis,
Smiling happily.
The sun is shining and there's no rain.
I wish I'd brought my football.
He danced around with joy.
I love it here.
I could stay forever.
It's fun for the moment,
Said Molly,
But let's see if you feel the same way after we have walked for a while.
Molly started walking and Louis followed.
The only thing ahead of them was sand.
After a few minutes Louis said,
It's not easy walking on this sand.
In fact,
It's quite difficult.
My legs are beginning to ache.
Yes,
Agreed Molly.
Walking in sand requires a greater effort than walking on the hard pavements that you're used to.
Your muscles and tendons have to work harder as your feet sink into the moving sand with every step you take.
You're not used to walking on such an uneven surface.
Louis stopped to rest his legs for a moment and looked around.
There are no lovely trees or flowers to look at,
He said.
Everywhere looks the same.
Sand,
Sand and more sand and all of it brown.
There's no pretty colours to look at and admire.
That's because most flowers and trees that you are used to seeing could not possibly survive here without rain,
Explained Molly.
This hot sun would burn them.
The few desert plants you can see dodged around may have to go without fresh water for years at a time.
Most of the plants here have adapted to the arid climate by growing long roots that tap water from deep underground.
And where are all the animals?
Asked Louis,
Looking out in every direction.
I can't see any anywhere.
That's because a lot of the desert animals spend much of their time underground,
While others don't come out until night time when the brutal sun has gone and it is cooler,
Explained Molly.
Louis looked disappointed.
If you're lucky you might see a camel,
Said Molly,
Trying to cheer him up.
Camels can survive up to 15 days without water.
Is that because they store water in their humps?
Asked Louis,
Looking around and hoping to see a camel.
No,
They don't actually store water in their humps.
They store fat there,
Explained Molly.
When food is scarce,
As it often is out here in the desert,
Camels can live off the fat for weeks or even months as it provides vital nutrients for them.
If you ever see a camel with a droopy hump,
It means he hasn't eaten for a while and his fat stores are empty.
That's so clever,
Said Louis,
Rubbing the backs of his legs.
But how do they cope with walking through this deep sand and hot sun?
Camels are very well adapted for survival in the desert,
Said Molly.
Their large,
Flat feet spread their weight on the sand,
Allowing them to walk with ease.
Also,
Their thick fur on top of their body creates a shade for them,
While thin fur elsewhere on their body allows easy heat loss.
Hmm,
Murmured Louis,
Wishing he had some shade right now as he wiped his sweaty brow with his hands.
Are you ready to walk a bit more now?
Asked Molly.
I would,
But I'm really thirsty,
Said Louis.
His lack of water was making him feel weak and irritable.
I'm not sure there is any water around here,
Said Molly,
And if we were lucky to find some,
It would probably be too dirty to drink.
But we always have plenty of clean water in our taps at home,
Said Louis.
That's thanks to the rain,
Said Molly.
Well,
Maybe a snack would help me,
Suggested Louis,
Like a juicy apple or a bunch of grapes,
But there doesn't appear to be any food around here,
He said sadly as he looked around.
Back at home we have so much food to choose from.
And that's all thanks to the rain,
Said Molly.
Louis huffed.
He was fed up with hearing how good the rain was.
He was thirsty and sweaty and didn't like how tired and weak he felt.
The sun continued to beat down upon him and it seemed to be getting even hotter.
There was nowhere to shelter and with nothing to drink he was not happy.
I'm so hot,
Groaned Louis.
It would be nice if it rained now to cool us off.
But you don't want it to rain ever again,
Molly reminded him.
I've changed my mind,
Louis snapped.
I want to run in the rain and cool off.
I want to make ice lollies with water and cool my mouth.
I want a big cold drink to wash away this dry gritty feeling in my throat.
He wiped the sweat from his forehead.
I can't bear this sun anymore,
He cried.
I need a drink now or I will die.
Where you live,
You take things for granted every day,
Said Molly.
You expect to have plenty of water to drink and plenty of food to eat.
You expect water to come out of the taps so you can wash your clothes and cars.
But by taking water for granted you forget that it is something to be treasured and appreciated.
Molly reached into a bag she had across her shoulder and gave Louis a bottle of cold water to drink.
Water doesn't appear by magic,
She said.
We need the rain to fall in order to have water and we should do things to save water and not waste it.
Louis listened as he gratefully gulped the water back.
Water had never tasted so good.
With his thirst quenched,
Louis said,
Thank you,
Molly.
I promise I will never take rain for granted ever again.
That's good to hear,
Said Molly.
You have learnt a very important lesson here in the desert.
Always be thankful for what you have and remember that there are different parts of the world where they are not as fortunate as you are.
What would happen to us if there was no more rain?
Asked Louis,
More than a little curious now.
Over the course of time,
If there was no more rainfall,
Life on earth would become impossible,
Explained Molly.
We would have no water to drink so eventually we would die of dehydration.
With no water to grow food,
We would have no plants to convert carbon dioxide into oxygen so there would be no oxygen to breathe.
So rain is very necessary and important for us to live,
Said Louis as he began to understand.
Yes,
Agreed Molly,
Rain fills our lakes and rivers and is absorbed into the underground rock which provides water for the plants and animals to drink,
All of which helps the human race to live and thrive.
They started to make their way back to the rocket.
So what are you going to do if it rains again tomorrow?
Asked Molly.
Louis thought about this as they climbed into the rocket and prepared for take off.
Well I won't feel sad now,
Now that I know how important rain is,
Louis said.
I think I will ask my sister Kelty to play Lego with me until the rain stops.
Molly smiled.
That's a great plan,
She said.
Now get ready for blast off.
The next morning Louis jumped out of bed and quickly opened his curtains.
It was still raining outside.
He grabbed his big box of Lego and went downstairs.
Morning Louis,
Said his mum who was making breakfast for the family.
Morning mum,
Said Louis cheerfully,
Putting his Lego box down on the floor.
I'm sorry to have to tell you that it's still raining outside,
Mum said.
Oh we need the rain mum,
Replied Louis,
So I don't mind.
You don't mind?
Mum seemed a little confused.
But yesterday you were so cross about the rain.
What has happened to change your mind?
Well I've been thinking about why we need rain,
Explained Louis.
It gives us water to drink and makes our plants,
Trees and flowers grow.
Without it we wouldn't have food and then we could die.
Mum was very impressed.
That's very true,
She said,
But hopefully it will stop raining soon.
If it doesn't I will build a giant rocket with my Lego,
Louis said.
Oh I'll help you,
Said Kelty coming into the kitchen for breakfast.
I love playing with Lego.
Happily they all enjoyed breakfast together and discussed the different ways that they could help save water.
When they had finished,
Kelty and Louis washed up the breakfast dishes and then played with the Lego whilst the rain fell and nourished the world outside.
I hope you enjoyed listening to my story.
Before you go I'd like to ask you a question.
How many ways can you think of to help save water?
Thanks again for listening and come back soon to hear another story from Grandma.
Bye for now.
