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Inside Jack’s bedroom on a gray morning, Jack pulls open the window curtain, wide-eyed and frowning at heavy rain streaking the glass. Mom stands slightly behind him, hand on his small shoulder, offering a soft, reassuring smile.
Jack jumped out of bed excited for his perfect day. He had it all planned - swimming at the pool, playing at the park, and tag with his best friend! He rushed to the window and pulled open the curtain. Rain poured down from dark gray clouds. "No, no, this can't be happening!" Jack cried. He sat by the window watching raindrops race down the glass. Mom walked over and gently touched his shoulder. "I'm sorry, honey. You can still play outside though. Go get your raincoat and rain boots on."
Driveway, light drizzle midday, Jack in yellow raincoat and red boots stomps hard on a small puddle, water spraying up around him. His face shifts from sadness to a growing grin under the cloudy sky.
Jack dragged his feet as he put on his yellow raincoat and red boots. "Okay, Mom, I'm done," he said sadly. Mom kissed his cheek. "It'll be fun, honey. Go play." Jack stepped outside into the sprinkling rain. Now what? He spotted a small puddle on the driveway and walked over to see his reflection. Can this truly be fun? he wondered. Jack stepped on the puddle and it softly splashed. He stomped harder. SPLASH! Water sprayed everywhere and Jack started to smile.
On the wet sidewalk under overcast afternoon light, Jack crouches beside a wide puddle, gently holding a tiny wiggling worm in his palm. Raindrops ripple the water while his delighted smile reflects faintly in the puddle.
Jack ran to bigger puddles, jumping in each one. SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! Water flew everywhere and he laughed out loud. He looked down and saw a little worm wiggling on the concrete. "Hey there, little guy!" Jack said, gently picking it up. The worm tickled his hand as it wiggled. He carefully set it back down in the grass. Jack looked at his puddle reflection again and saw the clouds above. He looked up at the sky for the first time. It's like a different world, he thought.
In the cozy living room at dusk, Mom kneels beside dripping-wet Jack, wrapping a fluffy towel around him and offering a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Rain dots the window behind them as Jack, seated on the floor, beams.
Jack ran and jumped in puddles again and again. He forgot all about the sunshine he'd wanted. The rain hadn't ruined his day - it made something new and special! When Jack finally went inside, he was soaking wet and muddy, but smiling from ear to ear. Mom wrapped him in a warm towel and handed him hot cocoa. The rain still tapped on the window. Jack sat beside it, watching the rain one more time and grinning. "Best. Day. Ever," he whispered happily.