Polly and Esther were 2 precocious 7 years old that were studying at the same primary school. They were the best of friends!
Every day after school, their stay at home moms will pick them up and walk them home from school. Since they all are staying in the same neighbourhood, the 4 of them frequently walked home together.
Polly’s mom is a graduate but has decided to be a full-time mom to focus on Polly’s education. Esther’s mom is not a graduate, and she works weekends at the local supermarket as a cashier.
One day like any other day, while they were walking home together in a foursome, Esther asked her mom…
“Mommy, why is the sky blue?”
“I’ve no idea…” replied Esther’s mom with a quizzical look on her face.
Polly’s mom interjected.
“Polly, do you know why? It’s because when the sun rays hit the earth’s atmosphere, all the other colours of the rainbow can penetrate it due to their longer wavelengths – except blue. Blue light will scatter in the atmosphere due to their shorter wavelengths and hence the sky we see is blue!”
Esther’s mom was impressed! Although she is not sure whether Polly and Esther understood…
“Mommy, why are some clouds bright and white, while some are dark and grey?” asked Esther again.
This time, Esther’s mom turned to Polly’s mom and looked with an expectant smile.
“Ah! When the clouds are not thick and heavy, more sunlight will pass through them – that’s why they are bright and white. Similarly, if the clouds are heavy and thick, less sunlight will pass through – hence it will become dark and grey.” Polly’s mom answered in a matter of fact way.
“Oh I see!” Now both Polly and Esther exclaimed in delight that they understood this explanation!
Now Esther did not asked about the dark clouds for no reason. The sky suddenly opened up and boy old boy, did it poured!
Polly and her mom hurriedly dashed to a nearby bus-stop for shelter. But still they got drenched…
Esther’s mom pulled out 2 umbrellas from her bag and gave one to Esther. The 2 of them waved goodbye to Polly and her mom and continued their walk home.
Esther’s mom was glad she brought alone the umbrellas when she saw some dark clouds in the horizon while leaving the house.
On the way, Esther asked her mom in a most endearing way…
“Mommy, why you so smart?”
Esther’s mom smiled and looked at Esther lovingly.
“Mommy is not smart. Mommy just knows what’s important. And that’s you!”
Both mother and daughter walked home in the rain holding hands tightly. Both learnt something about each other on that rainy afternoon.
Singapore Man of Leisure (welcome to my blog; just google it!)
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