Rosie the little rabbit wiggled her nose, peering out of her cozy burrow window. The sun had been warm all day, and she dreamed of hopping through the clover field before bedtime. But instead of sunshine, tiny drops began to tap against the leaves outside. Pitter-patter, pit-pat.
"Oh, no!" Rosie sighed, her fluffy ears drooping slightly. "Rain! Now I can't go out and play." She watched as the drops grew faster, dancing on the window ledge and making tiny rivers streak down the grassy slope outside.
The sound filled the burrow – a soft, steady drumming. Tap-tap-tap on the roof, swish-swish through the leaves. It wasn't loud or scary, but gentle and rhythmic. Rosie pressed her nose closer to the cool windowpane, watching the world turn shiny and wet.
Mama Rabbit hopped over, carrying a warm carrot soup. "What's wrong, little one?" she asked softly. "The rain came," Rosie mumbled. "It spoiled my plans."
Mama Rabbit sat beside her. "Sometimes plans change, little bunny," she said kindly. "But listen closely. The rain has its own kind of magic." She pointed a paw outside. "See how the thirsty flowers are drinking it all up? The rain helps them grow big and bright for you to see tomorrow."
"And listen to the sound," Mama Rabbit continued. "It's like a quiet song, isn't it? A lullaby for the forest." Rosie listened again. Pitter-patter, drip-drop. It *did* sound rather peaceful now that she wasn't thinking about hopping outside. It made the burrow feel extra snug and warm.
"The rain washes all the dust off the leaves, making them shiny and green," Mama Rabbit added. "And think of the wonderful, splashy puddles it will leave behind! We just need to be patient and wait for the sun to come back. Then, puddle jumping!"
Rosie imagined big, muddy puddles, perfect for jumping in with a happy KER-SPLOSH! A little smile crept onto her face. Maybe the rain wasn't so bad after all. It helped the flowers, sang a sleepy song, and promised fun for later.
She snuggled closer to Mama Rabbit, feeling warm and safe inside their burrow. The pitter-patter sound seemed cozy now, like a soft blanket. Rosie closed her eyes, listening to the gentle drumming. She knew she had to wait patiently for the sunshine, but tonight, the sound of the rain was just right for falling asleep, dreaming of colorful flowers and glorious, splashy puddles.
Soon, Rosie was fast asleep, the gentle rhythm of the rain her bedtime lullaby, reminding her that even rainy days bring their own special gifts.