Mira and the First Rain

by Devika Rao

Grade 2 (Level K): Transitional readers10 pages

In a dry hill town, Mira waits all summer for the monsoon and learns what the whole town does when it comes

Characters

Mira

Nani

Style

Indian Miniature

Story

Story Arc

The hot summer sun beat down. Mira sat on the porch steps. Her small town waited for the rain. A warm breeze stirred the dry leaves. She watched the dusty road winding up the hill.

The village well held little water now. Its stone walls felt warm to the touch. Nani watched Mira peer inside. Just a thin, dark mirror shimmered at the bottom. A soft sigh escaped Nani’s lips.

Each day, Mira and Nani waited. They sat together in the shade. The air hung still and heavy around them. Nani slowly fanned herself with a palm leaf. Mira listened for any distant rumble.

Mira traced patterns in the dust with her bare toe. The small plants in pots were thirsty. Nani held a hand over Mira’s arm. It felt warm and comforting. A silence stretched long and far.

Nani hummed an old, soft tune. Mira leaned her head on Nani’s shoulder. They shared a sweet mango slice. Its juicy coolness was a tiny comfort. Time moved like a sleepy river.

Then, a soft breeze whispered past. It carried a different smell. The scent of damp earth, faint and far away. Mira lifted her head. Her eyes brightened, searching the sky.

Clouds gathered, dark and heavy. A gust of wind rustled the trees. Dust swirled on the road, dancing high. The sky grew darker, like a whispered promise. The air felt charged and new.

A single, cool drop touched Mira’s cheek. Then another, and another. A drumming began on the thirsty ground. Mira held out her hands, letting the water fall. A wide smile spread across her face.

Nani came to stand beside Mira. They closed their eyes, feeling the cool water. The rain poured down, a joyful song. Soon, the well would be full again. Their long waiting was almost done.

The world outside turned a glistening green. Water streamed from the rooftops. Mira held Nani’s hand. They watched the generous rain fall. Waiting together had made the moment even sweeter.

The end

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Words to know

stirred: This means to gently move something, like making leaves move a little.; A warm breeze stirred the dry leaves.
winding: This describes something that curves and turns, like a road that isn't straight.; She watched the dusty road winding up the hill.
shimmered: This means to shine with a soft, unsteady light, like the reflection on water.; Just a thin, dark mirror shimmered at the bottom.
escaped: This means something came out, like a sound or a breath that you didn't plan.; A soft sigh escaped Nani’s lips.
heavy: This can mean something weighs a lot, or in this case, the air felt thick and still.; The air hung still and heavy around them.
traced: This means to draw a line or a shape by following something already there.; Mira traced patterns in the dust with her bare toe.
comforting: This means to make someone feel better and less worried.; It felt warm and comforting.
stretched: This means something lasted for a long time, like a quiet time that felt very long.; A silence stretched long and far.
hummed: This is when someone sings a tune without opening their mouth very wide, making a soft sound.; Nani hummed an old, soft tune.
juicy: This means something has a lot of liquid inside it, like a fruit that drips when you bite it.; Its juicy coolness was a tiny comfort.
scent: This is another word for a smell, especially a pleasant one.; It carried a different smell. The scent of damp earth, faint and far away.
gathered: This means to come together or pile up, like clouds getting closer in the sky.; Clouds gathered, dark and heavy.
gust: This is a sudden, strong rush of wind.; A gust of wind rustled the trees.
swirled: This means to move around and around quickly in a circle.; Dust swirled on the road, dancing high.
charged: This means the air felt full of energy and excitement, ready for something to happen.; The air felt charged and new.
drumming: This is a sound like a drum beating, like the rain hitting the ground over and over.; A drumming began on the thirsty ground.
generous: This means giving a lot, like the rain that fell so much.; They watched the generous rain fall.