The Bamboo Forest

Four.

The rain pattered softly on the umbrella. The leaves of the bamboo trees swayed in the gentle breeze, dancing to the beautiful music of the wind. The overgrowned grass on the sides of the road were a bright green colour, seeming full of life. Wearing her dad's raincoat which was oversized for her and a pair of worned out shoes, the little girl stepped into a puddle of rainwater accidentally. The water seeped into her shoes and wet her socks. Her lips shaped into a pout as she complained, "Why must it rain now? Now my shoes are wet and uncomfortable!"

Her dad, seeing the tears in her eyes that threatened to spill out, sighed, put the handle of the umbrella in her soft, tiny hands and carried her in one swift motion. She smiled happily, the dimples on her rosy cheeks the size of a ten-cent coin. She laid her head gently on her father's shoulder, before pinching her nose quickly. "Dad, why do you smell?" she asked with her face scrunched up adorably at her father's body odour.

A smile broke out on her father's face. "That's because I didn't have time to, dear."

"Why not?" she asked, her large, brown eyes staring at her dad curiously.

"Because I have to fetch you from childcare and work and do many, many other things," he explained patiently.

"So can you shower when we get home? Please? I don't want a stinky dad." The girl looked at him, the corners of her mouth turned down. "Promise me you will."

At this, her dad's eyes twinkled and he instantly looked ten years younger. The wrinkles on his face and bags under his eyes were overshadowed by the genuine smile on his face. He opened his mouth and laughed. A deep, melodious laugh. The sound of his beautiful laugh warmed the little girl's heart and she grinned smugly, feeling proud with herself for making her grey-haired father laugh.

"Yes, yes. I promise to shower when we reach home, my dear."