When Mom left early in the morning with her basket in hand and a promise to return by afternoon, Lala waved goodbye with a bright smile but a tiny knot in her heart. This was the first time she would be home alone for more than a few hours. Usually, Mom was always around to help brush her hair, prepare snacks, and remind her to clean up after playing. But today was different. Today, Lala would have to manage everything by herself.
Lala, a curious and cheerful little girl with puffy cheeks and eyes full of wonder, stood by the window for a few minutes after Mom left, watching the dust rise behind the bicycle wheels. Then she turned around and took a deep breath.
“All right, Lala,” she said to herself with a firm nod. “Time to be a big girl!”
She began her day with a checklist in her head—just like how Mom always did things. First stop: the bedroom.
The bed looked rumpled and fluffy like a sleeping cloud. Normally, Lala would jump right back into it, especially since the morning sun made it extra cozy. But today she walked straight over, pulled the covers tight, fluffed the pillows, and carefully smoothed everything out. The bed looked neat and proud, almost like it was smiling at her.
Next up was brushing her teeth. She hopped into the bathroom and climbed up her little blue stool. The toothbrush was right where she always kept it, and she giggled when the toothpaste squirted a bit too much.
“Oops! I guess I still need practice,” she laughed, wiping the extra toothpaste off the sink.
After cleaning up, Lala went into the kitchen. Breakfast time! She wasn’t allowed to use the stove, but she remembered that Mom had left a container of cut-up fruit in the fridge and some bread on the table. She arranged everything on her little plate like a restaurant dish, then poured herself a small glass of milk without spilling.
Sitting at the table, Lala felt proud. The fruit tasted extra sweet this morning, maybe because she’d done it all by herself.
After breakfast, it was time for play—but Lala knew that fun comes with responsibility. She took out her toys one by one, lining them up for a “class meeting” in her pretend school. Her stuffed bear, Mr. Fluffers, was the student who never listened, and she made sure to scold him gently during playtime.
“You can’t nap during story time, Mr. Fluffers,” she said, wagging a tiny finger. “That’s not polite!”
Once playtime was over, Lala remembered to clean up. She put the toys back into the box and folded her play mat. Normally, she’d leave it lying around, but today she wanted Mom to be surprised when she returned and saw everything neat and tidy.
Feeling a little tired after her busy morning, Lala decided to rest. But instead of slouching on the couch, she picked out a picture book and sat near the window, where the light made the pages glow. She read to herself quietly, sounding out big words and whispering the story like a secret to the trees outside.
Around lunchtime, Lala remembered the lunchbox Mom had packed. She brought it to the table and opened it like a treasure chest. Inside were rice, boiled eggs, and a little note with a smiley face and a heart. Lala smiled wide.
“Thanks, Mom,” she whispered, pretending her mom could hear her all the way from the market.
After lunch, Lala cleaned up again. She washed her little plate and cup—though she did need to stand on her toes and splash a bit of water on the floor. Then, remembering how Mom always told her to rest after lunch, Lala decided to take a short nap.
She lay on the couch with her favorite blanket, hugging Mr. Fluffers close. “Let’s be quiet and rest, okay?” she told him.
It didn’t take long for her to drift off, dreaming of sunny playgrounds and Mom’s warm hugs.
When Lala woke up, the shadows had shifted across the room. The afternoon light poured in gently, and birds were chirping nearby. She yawned, stretched, and checked the clock. Still some time before Mom returned.
That’s when Lala got her idea—why not draw something for Mom? She grabbed her crayons and a big sheet of paper. She drew a picture of herself, standing proudly in a clean house with a big smile. Mom was in the picture too, surprised and happy. Above their heads, Lala wrote in her best handwriting:
“I took care of myself today!”
She taped the drawing to the front door so it would be the first thing Mom saw when she returned.
The final task on her list was checking the plants. Lala remembered how Mom always watered the little pots near the window. She carried a tiny watering can, filling it with just enough water, and gently poured it onto the soil of each plant.
“Here you go, drink up!” she said softly, as if talking to baby animals.
Just then, she heard the familiar ring of Mom’s bicycle bell outside.
“Mom’s home!” Lala shouted, running to the door.
Mom opened it and was immediately greeted by the drawing. She paused, her eyes scanning the picture and the bold message. Then, she stepped inside and looked around.
The living room was clean. The toys were in their place. The dishes were washed. The bed was made. And there was Lala, beaming up at her with pride.
“Lala… did you do all this?” Mom asked, both amazed and touched.
“Yes! I took care of myself just like you do. I made the bed, ate breakfast, cleaned up, and even watered the plants!”
Mom knelt down and hugged her tightly. “I’m so proud of you, sweetheart. You are growing up so fast.”
Lala hugged her back and whispered, “I wanted you to come home and be happy.”
Mom’s eyes shimmered a bit, and she smiled even wider. “I’m not just happy—I’m the happiest mom in the world.”
That night, as Lala snuggled into her perfectly made bed, Mom sat beside her and said, “Today you showed me how responsible and kind you are. I know I can trust you more and more every day.”
Lala closed her eyes, her heart full. “Tomorrow, I’ll help take care of both of us again.”
And with that, she drifted off to sleep, a little wiser, a little prouder, and very, very loved.
