Cynthia Kadohata

Irainature Access

Irainature smiled. "You misunderstand the rain, child. You see tears. I see a giver of life. Come. Walk with me."

They walked further, to a dry streambed. Within minutes, trickles of water began to flow, then a cheerful gurgle. Tiny frogs emerged from hiding, their croaks joining the rain's rhythm. Irainature knelt and let a drop rest on her palm. "Every cloud carries a promise. Without this 'gray sadness,' there would be no emerald forests, no blooming gardens, no rivers for the fish." Irainature

Leona looked up. The sky was still dark, but she noticed something new: the way the rain made the pebbles gleam like polished jewels, the earthy perfume rising from the soil, the way each drop created a tiny, perfect ripple in a puddle. Irainature smiled

For the first time, she didn't feel trapped. She felt connected. I see a giver of life