The sun was high in the sky, casting golden light over the fields. Bibi, a clever little girl with a wild imagination and dirt-streaked cheeks, had spent the entire morning running through the farm. She loved the farm—especially the animals. She had helped feed the chickens, raced the goats (and won!), and even brushed the old cow, Bunta, who mooed with delight every time Bibi scratched behind her ears.
But now, it was hot. Really hot.
As she sat under a mango tree with her straw hat crooked on her head, Bibi wiped her forehead with the sleeve of her shirt and sighed. She looked over at the little river that sparkled behind the rows of banana trees. The water was cool, inviting. It whispered to her: “Come swim. Come play.” But there was a problem.
Uncle Phong.
Uncle Phong was kind but very serious when it came to rules. He had told her just yesterday, “No swimming in the river without me, Bibi. It’s dangerous.”
But Bibi had been swimming in that river since she was five. She knew the shallow parts, the slippery stones, and where the little fish liked to hide. And besides, it was just too hot to resist.
So, when she heard Uncle Phong’s tractor engine rumble toward the far field, she saw her chance.
She tiptoed back to the farmhouse, grabbed her bathing clothes, and stuffed them into a basket of green beans. Then she sneaked through the garden, careful not to make a sound. The chickens squawked when she passed, and she gave them a quick “Shh!”
Bibi dashed behind the banana trees and reached the riverbank, heart pounding with excitement. She looked left, then right. No Uncle Phong in sight.
Splash!
The water was perfect. Cool, clear, and full of sunlight. She floated on her back, giggling as dragonflies zipped past. She pretended she was a mermaid queen, ruling over her underwater kingdom.
But her joy didn’t last long.
“Bibi!”
She froze.
“Bibi! Where are you?” It was Uncle Phong, and he was getting closer.
Panicking, Bibi swam to the edge and dove behind a thick bush. She crouched there, dripping and trying not to breathe too loudly.
Uncle Phong’s footsteps crunched through the grass. He stopped just a few meters away.
“I know you’re out here,” he said in his deep voice. “You better not be in that river, little fish.”
Bibi stayed as still as a stone.
After a long silence, she heard him walk away, muttering, “Mischievous girl…”
Once she was sure he was gone, Bibi climbed out of her hiding place and changed back into her dry clothes. Her heart was still thumping, but her eyes were sparkling with pride.
She knew she’d get caught one day. But not today.
And as she walked back toward the house, basket of beans in hand and wet hair hidden under her hat, Bibi smiled to herself.
What a perfect summer adventure.
