Lala, the lively and curious little girl with shiny black hair and bright eyes, had always been full of surprises. She was only five, but her spirit often made the adults around her pause and smile in admiration. One rainy afternoon, something rather unexpected happened in her home, leaving everyone touched by her tender heart and clever thinking.
It started when Lala overheard her mother speaking softly on the phone. She had been eavesdropping—something she knew wasn’t very polite—but when she heard the words “Auntie Mina isn’t feeling well,” her heart fluttered with concern.
Auntie Mina was their domestic worker, the gentle woman who took care of everything around the house—cleaning, cooking, folding clothes, watering plants, and even sometimes braiding Lala’s hair when Mom was too busy. Lala adored her. Auntie Mina had a soft laugh and hands that always smelled like jasmine soap.
“Mommy,” Lala asked later that day, standing beside her mother who was folding laundry in the living room, “Is Auntie Mina really sick?”
Her mother nodded slowly, a little surprised. “Yes, sweetheart. She has a mild fever and a cough. I told her to rest in the helper’s room today and not do any work.”
Lala’s eyes widened. “Then who will fold my little socks and make my pancake bears?”
Her mom laughed softly. “I will, of course. But right now, Auntie Mina needs rest.”
Lala nodded, suddenly deep in thought. She excused herself and ran to her room, her tiny feet pattering down the hallway.
Half an hour later, Lala returned, struggling to carry a small pink bag that was almost too heavy for her. Her mother noticed and immediately went over to help.
“What’s this, honey?” she asked.
Lala opened the bag proudly. Inside were two folded clean shirts, a small towel, a soft pair of socks, a bottle of children’s vitamin syrup, and a toy stethoscope.
“I packed some clean clothes for Auntie Mina,” she said seriously. “And this medicine—it always helps me when I feel sick. I know she’s not a kid, but maybe it’ll help a little. And the stethoscope is for fun… so she doesn’t feel sad!”
Her mother was touched beyond words. “Oh, my sweet girl,” she said, hugging Lala tightly. “That’s so thoughtful. But we can’t give her your syrup—grown-ups need different medicine.”
Lala’s face fell for a moment, but then she lit up again. “Then you can give her yours! And maybe some ginger tea like Grandma drinks when she’s sick.”
“Okay,” her mom nodded. “Let’s prepare a proper care kit.”
Together, they prepared a tray with a cup of warm ginger tea, some adult medicine, a thermometer, and Lala’s carefully packed pink bag (minus the syrup). Lala insisted on carrying the tray herself, walking very slowly so as not to spill a single drop.
When they arrived at Auntie Mina’s room, they knocked gently. Mina opened the door wearing a face mask and a thick sweater. Her eyes lit up when she saw Lala holding the tray.
“Oh, baby Lala,” she said, touched, “what’s all this?”
“I came to take care of you!” Lala announced proudly. “You always take care of me when I’m sick. Now it’s your turn!”
Mina chuckled, her voice raspy. “That’s very sweet, my little angel.”
Lala walked into the room and set the tray on the bedside table. She then reached into her pocket and handed Mina a crayon drawing.
“This is you,” she explained. “Resting in bed with flowers and sunshine. See? The flowers are smiling because you’re getting better!”
Mina was moved to tears. “Lala, this means so much to me.”
“Don’t cry!” Lala said quickly, gently patting Mina’s hand. “You just rest, okay? I’ll tell Mommy to make your favorite porridge.”
After a short visit, Lala left the room and ran back to her mom, who was watching everything from the hallway with pride and a tear in her eye.
“She smiled, Mommy!” Lala said, bouncing. “But she looks really tired. Can I be her helper until she gets better?”
“You already are,” her mom said warmly.
Over the next two days, Lala took her role very seriously. She would quietly peek into Auntie Mina’s room each morning, not to disturb her, but to wave from the door. She made sure Mina had water, warm blankets, and even folded her own tiny clothes for once. Her favorite part of the day was picking a flower from the garden and placing it in a glass by Auntie Mina’s bed.
She also told her friends about it on a video call, saying, “When people get sick, we have to take care of them! Even if they’re grown-ups. Especially if they’re grown-ups.”
Her friends were impressed. One even asked their mom if they could send soup to someone.
By the third day, Mina was feeling much better. The fever was gone, and her energy had returned. She came out of her room and found the living room tidier than usual—and Lala sitting with her stuffed animals, holding what looked like a tiny “staff meeting.”
“Mina!” Lala cried, running to hug her. “You’re better!”
Mina smiled and knelt to hug her. “Thanks to the best little nurse in the world.”
Lala beamed.
Later that evening, the whole family had dinner together. Mina sat at the table, and everyone welcomed her back warmly. Lala sat beside her and whispered, “I missed you folding my socks.”
“I missed you too, baby,” Mina said. “And don’t worry, I’ll fold your socks tomorrow. But only if you let me keep your drawing.”
“You can keep it forever!” Lala said, proudly.
From that day on, Lala’s kindness became something of a legend in the house. Her parents told the story to visiting relatives. Auntie Mina framed the drawing and kept it in her room. And Lala, though still just five, understood that care wasn’t something you had to be big to give—it just had to come from the heart.
