The first rays of sunlight filtered through the cream-colored curtains, painting soft gold patterns across Lala’s bedroom wall. A faint chirping of birds outside the window blended with the gentle hum of morning life in the neighborhood. Lala, still curled under her soft pink blanket, stirred when she heard the familiar voice of her mother.
“Good morning, sweetheart,” Mom called softly from the doorway. “It’s time to wake up. We’ve got a busy day ahead.”
Lala yawned and sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes. “Morning, Mom.” Her voice was still warm and sleepy, but she was determined to have a good day. She remembered Mom’s words from last night: ‘Tomorrow, let’s do everything on time—no fuss, no rushing.’
That was Lala’s little challenge for herself: to be obedient and follow her morning routine without delay.
Step One: Brushing Teeth
The first task of the morning was always brushing her teeth. Lala padded to the bathroom in her fluffy slippers, her hair still a little messy from sleep. She stood on her small stool in front of the sink, reaching for her bright blue toothbrush. It had a cheerful cartoon cat on the handle, a little reward Mom had given her when she started brushing without reminders.
She squeezed a small ribbon of strawberry-flavored toothpaste onto the bristles and started brushing in small circles, just like Mom had taught her. “Up and down, round and round,” she murmured to herself, making sure to clean each tooth.
As she brushed, she looked at her reflection in the mirror and tried to hum a tune to keep the two-minute timer in her head. Mom peeked in and smiled.
“Good job, Lala. Don’t forget the back teeth,” Mom reminded gently.
“I know, Mom,” Lala replied with a grin, opening her mouth wide to reach the molars.
When she finally rinsed and spat into the sink, she felt her mouth fresh and clean. She washed her toothbrush, placed it neatly in the cup, and wiped her mouth with the towel. The first task was done—and done well.
Step Two: Eating Breakfast
By the time Lala reached the kitchen, the warm, cozy scent of breakfast had filled the air. Mom was setting the table, and a plate of scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced bananas was waiting for her. A small glass of warm milk stood beside it, steaming lightly.
“Wow, this looks yummy!” Lala said, climbing into her chair.
Mom poured herself some tea and sat across from her. “Remember, breakfast is important, Lala. It gives you energy for the whole day.”
Lala nodded seriously and picked up her fork. She took small bites, savoring the creamy scrambled eggs. Between bites, she chewed her toast carefully, enjoying the slight crunch and the buttery taste. The bananas were sweet and soft—just the way she liked them.
Mom noticed how neatly she was eating and praised her. “I’m proud of you for eating without getting distracted today.”
Lala’s cheeks warmed with happiness. She finished her milk in a few gulps, feeling full and content. In the past, she sometimes played with her food or wandered away from the table. But today, she was determined to finish everything in one sitting, and she did.
Step Three: Taking Medicine
After breakfast came the part Lala liked the least—taking her medicine. She had caught a small cough earlier in the week, and the doctor had prescribed a sweet syrup to help her recover faster. It wasn’t terrible in taste, but she didn’t enjoy it either.
Mom brought the small bottle and a measuring spoon. “Alright, sweetheart. Just one spoonful, and then you can have a sip of water.”
Lala took a deep breath. “Okay, I’m ready.”
Mom carefully poured the syrup, and Lala opened her mouth. The liquid slid down her throat—thick, sweet, and just a little strange. She made a small face, but swallowed quickly without complaint.
“Good girl,” Mom said warmly, handing her a glass of water. Lala sipped it, and the lingering taste faded.
“That’s not so bad,” Lala admitted.
“It’s even better when you take it without fuss,” Mom said, giving her hair a gentle pat. “That’s how you get better quickly.”
A Morning Well Done
With her teeth brushed, breakfast eaten, and medicine taken, Lala felt a quiet sense of pride. She had done everything without being told twice. Mom noticed too—her eyes sparkled with pride as she gathered the dishes.
“You’ve been very obedient this morning, Lala. I’m impressed,” Mom said. “You know, when you take care of yourself like this, it helps the whole day go smoothly.”
Lala beamed. “It feels good to do things right.”
They moved to the living room, where sunlight now poured through the windows. Lala sat by the coffee table with her coloring book, and Mom read a few pages from her own book. The peacefulness in the room made Lala realize how much calmer the morning had been compared to days when she delayed her tasks.
A Little Reflection
Later, while coloring a bright red flower, Lala thought about why her mom had always encouraged her to stick to a morning routine. Brushing her teeth kept her healthy, breakfast gave her energy, and the medicine was helping her get well. It all made sense.
She decided she would try to keep up this habit—not just today, but every day. Being obedient didn’t mean just listening to her mom—it also meant taking care of herself.
A Reward from Mom
When the clock neared ten, Mom returned from the kitchen with a small plate of sliced apples. “Here’s a little extra snack for my well-behaved girl,” she said with a smile.
Lala’s eyes lit up. “Thank you, Mom!” She happily munched on the crisp apple slices.
As they enjoyed their snack together, Mom said softly, “You know, Lala, mornings like this make me very happy. They give us time to enjoy each other instead of rushing or arguing.”
Lala felt her heart swell. She leaned over and hugged her mom. “I’ll try to be obedient every morning.”
“I know you will,” Mom said warmly.
Evening Thoughts
That night, as Lala lay in bed, she thought back to the morning. She could almost taste the buttery toast, feel the soft bristles of her toothbrush, and remember the little gulp when she swallowed her medicine. But more than anything, she remembered the proud smile on Mom’s face.
She realized something important: being obedient wasn’t just about following orders—it was about making life easier for herself and for the people she loved.
With that thought in her mind, she closed her eyes, ready to dream about another happy, obedient morning to come.
