The sky had been gentle that morning, painted in soft blue and white, as if the world itself was holding its breath. CUTIS sat quietly on a thick tree branch, his small hands gripping the bark while his bright, curious eyes scanned the forest below. Normally, this was the hour when laughter echoed through the trees—when Mom called out softly, when Yen Nhi’s footsteps crunched on fallen leaves, when warmth and safety wrapped around him like an invisible blanket. But today was different. Today, the forest felt strangely silent.
A low rumble rolled across the sky.
CUTIS froze.
He had heard that sound before. Not often, but enough to remember what followed.
Storm.
Dark clouds crept in slowly, swallowing the sunlight bit by bit. The air grew heavy, thick with the smell of rain and wet earth. Leaves trembled, not from wind yet, but from warning. CUTIS’s heart began to beat faster, thumping loudly in his small chest. He looked around anxiously, expecting to see Mom’s familiar shape moving toward him, or to hear her reassuring call.
Nothing.
CUTIS was alone.
The first drops of rain fell like cold surprises, splashing against leaves and dripping down his fur. He flinched, blinking rapidly as he tried to understand what was happening. Rain wasn’t always scary—on gentle days, it could even be playful. But this rain felt different. It was sharp, urgent, and carried the promise of something much bigger.
Thunder cracked across the sky.
CUTIS let out a small, frightened cry and clutched the branch tighter. His fingers trembled, claws digging into the bark. The wind suddenly rushed through the forest, bending trees and shaking branches violently. The world that once felt safe now seemed enormous and unpredictable.
“Mom…?” he whispered, his voice nearly lost in the growing roar of the storm.
The rain grew heavier, drumming loudly on leaves and branches. CUTIS’s fur quickly became soaked, clinging to his thin body. Cold crept into his bones, making him shiver uncontrollably. He had never faced a storm like this alone before. Usually, Mom knew exactly where to go—how to find shelter, how to keep him warm, how to make everything feel okay again.
But today, CUTIS had to think for himself.
Another thunderclap split the sky, closer this time. CUTIS squeezed his eyes shut, memories flashing through his mind. He remembered how Mom always taught him to stay calm, how she would gently tap his head and guide him with patience. Observe first. Don’t panic. Her lessons echoed faintly in his thoughts.
CUTIS took a shaky breath.
Panicking wouldn’t help.
Slowly, carefully, he opened his eyes and looked around. Rain blurred his vision, but he forced himself to focus. The branch he was on swayed dangerously, creaking under the pressure of wind and water. Staying here was no longer safe. He needed to move.
With cautious determination, CUTIS began to climb down the tree. Each step was a challenge. His wet hands slipped, his feet struggled to find grip, and his small body fought against the force of the wind. Fear threatened to take over, but CUTIS pushed forward, reminding himself that stopping meant danger.
Halfway down, a sudden gust of wind snapped a nearby branch. It crashed to the ground with a terrifying crack. CUTIS gasped, his heart leaping into his throat. For a moment, he froze, clinging desperately to the tree trunk.
“I can do this,” he seemed to tell himself.
He continued downward until his feet finally touched the muddy ground. The forest floor was no longer familiar—it had transformed into a slippery, chaotic mess of water, leaves, and broken twigs. CUTIS nearly lost his balance but managed to steady himself, spreading his arms wide just as Mom had shown him.
The rain poured harder.
CUTIS scanned his surroundings, searching for shelter. His eyes landed on a cluster of thick bushes near a large, old tree with hollow roots. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than standing exposed beneath the open sky. Gathering his courage, CUTIS dashed toward it, splashing through puddles as rain soaked him completely.
Just as he reached the hollow, lightning flashed, illuminating the forest in a blinding white light. CUTIS squealed and dove inside, curling into a tight ball. The hollow smelled of damp wood and earth, but it blocked the worst of the rain and wind. For now, he was safe.
Or so he hoped.
Time passed slowly. Thunder roared again and again, each crash making CUTIS flinch. The cold made his teeth chatter, and his stomach twisted with hunger and fear. Loneliness settled heavily on his heart. He missed Mom’s warmth, her steady breathing, the way she always seemed unafraid no matter how fierce the storm.
Tears mixed with rain on his cheeks.
“What if she can’t find me?” CUTIS wondered silently.
The thought was terrifying.
But even in his fear, CUTIS didn’t give up. He remembered another lesson Mom had taught him—Listen to the forest. It speaks, even during chaos. So he listened. Beneath the thunder and rain, he noticed small details: the rhythm of water dripping, the distant call of birds hiding away, the steady beating of his own heart.
He was still alive.
That meant he still had hope.
Hours seemed to pass, though it may have been less. The storm slowly began to lose its fury. The rain softened from a roar to a steady fall. Thunder retreated into the distance, sounding more like tired grumbles than angry shouts.
CUTIS peeked out of the hollow.
The forest looked battered but beautiful. Leaves glistened, and mist rose gently from the ground. The danger wasn’t completely gone, but it was fading. CUTIS stretched his stiff limbs and stepped outside cautiously. He felt exhausted, but also strangely proud.
He had survived.
Just as he took a few steps forward, a familiar sound cut through the air.
“CUTIS!”
His ears perked up instantly.
“CUTIS!”
The voice trembled with urgency and love.
CUTIS’s eyes widened, and his heart leapt with joy. He rushed toward the sound, calling back as loudly as he could. Moments later, Mom burst through the trees, her fur damp, her eyes wide with worry. When she saw CUTIS, relief washed over her face.
She pulled him close instantly, wrapping him in warmth.
CUTIS clung to her tightly, trembling—not from cold anymore, but from overwhelming emotion. Mom held him firmly, checking him over again and again, as if making sure he was truly real.
“You were so brave,” her gentle presence seemed to say.
CUTIS pressed his face against her chest, finally allowing himself to relax. The storm had tested him, frightened him, and nearly broken his courage—but it had also shown him something important. Even alone, even afraid, he had strength inside him he never knew existed.
As Mom carried him away from the storm’s aftermath, the sky began to clear. A faint glow of sunlight broke through the clouds, touching the forest with warmth once more. CUTIS looked up, eyes shining with quiet pride.
The stormy day had come.
CUTIS had faced it alone.
And he survived. 💪🐒
