Ben and the Rainy-Day Umbrella

Chapter 1: We need kind friends

Ben’s father repaired bicycles in a tiny shop. His mother grew vegetables behind their home.

They worked hard, but when something broke, it often had to be repaired instead of replaced.

For weeks, Ben walked to school beneath an old umbrella that leaked onto his shoulder.

Then, one evening, his father brought home a new yellow umbrella.

Ben opened it and grinned.

“It looks like sunshine!”

The following morning, rain splashed against the windows.

Ben proudly carried his umbrella to school. On the way, he saw a classmate named Sam standing beneath a narrow shop roof.

Sam’s hair was wet, and he hugged his schoolbag against his chest.

“Could we walk together?” Sam asked.