The small clock on the wall ticked softly, announcing that dawn was only an hour away. The house was quiet except for the faint scratching of a pen against paper and the occasional rustle of turning pages. Mom had been at her desk all night, books piled high around her like mountains. She was studying for her upcoming exams, determined to succeed even though her eyes looked heavy and her shoulders drooped with exhaustion.
In the corner of the room, little Lala watched with concern. Her big, round eyes followed Mom’s every move. Though she was just a little girl, she could sense that Mom was pushing herself too hard. Mom had been awake since yesterday afternoon, drinking water to stay focused, but not once had she eaten properly or rested her eyes.
Lala tugged at the hem of her own pajama shirt and thought deeply. She wanted to help Mom. But what could she do? She was small, and her hands weren’t skilled like Mom’s. Then she remembered something she had seen many times: whenever Mom was tired, she would make herself a cup of coffee. Coffee seemed to give Mom the energy to keep going.
A sparkle of determination lit up Lala’s face. “I’ll make coffee for Mom,” she whispered to herself. “That way she won’t feel so tired.”
She tiptoed into the kitchen, her little footsteps careful not to disturb the silence of the early morning. The kitchen smelled faintly of last night’s dinner, and the dim light from the window gave the counters a soft glow. Lala climbed onto a small stool, pushing it toward the counter where the coffee supplies were kept.
She opened the cabinet, and there it was—the jar of ground coffee. It was heavy, but she managed to lift it down with both hands. The kettle sat on the stove, waiting to be filled. Lala filled it with water from the tap, giggling when a few drops splashed onto her pajama sleeves.
The stool creaked under her weight as she reached for the power switch. She remembered watching Mom boil water many times, and she imitated every step carefully. Soon, the gentle hiss of the kettle filled the kitchen.
While waiting, she found Mom’s favorite mug—the one with little flowers painted on the sides. It always made Mom smile when she drank from it. Lala set it on the counter, standing on tiptoes to scoop the coffee powder into it. A little spilled on the counter, but she quickly brushed it aside with her tiny hands.
When the water boiled, she poured it slowly into the mug. Steam rose in swirls, and the aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Lala wrinkled her nose—it smelled strong and a little bitter, but she knew Mom liked it that way. She stirred the coffee with a spoon, the clinking sound echoing in the quiet kitchen.
But something felt missing. Lala thought for a moment, then remembered: Mom always added a spoonful of sugar when she wanted the coffee to taste a little sweeter. Carefully, she scooped sugar and stirred it in. The coffee was done!
Holding the mug with both hands, Lala carefully walked toward Mom’s study room. The cup was warm, and she moved slowly so she wouldn’t spill. When she entered, Mom was still bent over her notes, her eyes squinting as she tried to memorize formulas and facts.
“Mom,” Lala said softly.
Mom looked up, startled for a moment. “Lala? Why are you awake so early?” Her voice was tired but gentle.
“I made you coffee,” Lala said proudly, holding out the cup. “You stayed up all night. You need it.”
Mom blinked, her eyes softening as she saw the mug in her daughter’s tiny hands. She set her pen down and reached for the coffee, her heart melting at the thoughtfulness. “Oh, sweetheart… you made this for me?”
Lala nodded eagerly. “Yes! I was worried. You didn’t sleep at all. Coffee will help you.”
Mom smiled, her exhaustion momentarily forgotten. She took a sip of the coffee. It was a little too sweet, with some coffee grounds floating at the top, but to her, it was the most delicious coffee she had ever tasted.
“Thank you, my little angel,” Mom whispered, pulling Lala into her lap. “This coffee is perfect because you made it with love.”
Lala leaned her head against Mom’s shoulder, relieved that she had been able to help. “Mom, will you be okay? You always study and study. I don’t want you to get sick.”
Mom hugged her tightly. “I’ll be okay, Lala. I’m studying because I want to pass my exams and make a better future for both of us. But I promise, I’ll rest after this.”
Lala tilted her head and looked serious. “Promise-promise?”
Mom laughed softly. “Yes, promise-promise.”
They stayed like that for a while, the warmth of the coffee and their embrace filling the room. The sunrise peeked through the curtains, painting the room in golden light. Mom’s heart swelled with gratitude. She realized that while she was studying for their future, Lala was already teaching her about what truly mattered—love, care, and togetherness.
Mom kissed Lala’s forehead. “When you grow up, you’ll understand how much this little gesture means to me. You gave me strength just now.”
Lala smiled shyly. “Then drink it all, Mom. Coffee makes you strong!”
Mom chuckled and took another sip. This time, she imagined herself not just as a student struggling through textbooks, but as a mother inspired by her daughter’s kindness. With renewed energy, she picked up her pen again, but this time she wasn’t just driven by determination—she was driven by love.
As the morning fully arrived, the sound of birds chirping outside filled the air. Mom finished her notes with surprising focus, the fatigue eased by the warmth in her chest. Every now and then, she would glance at Lala, who had curled up beside her on a small blanket, finally drifting back to sleep.
She thought to herself, No matter how tough life gets, I’ll always have Lala by my side. And that’s the greatest motivation of all.
By the time noon arrived, Mom had completed her revision. She stretched her arms, proud and relieved, then gently picked up Lala and carried her to bed. Watching her daughter sleep peacefully, she whispered, “Thank you, my little helper. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
That night, when Mom finally lay down to rest, she thought back to the coffee Lala had made. It wasn’t just a drink—it was a reminder that love can be found in the smallest actions, and that even in moments of stress, family gives us the strength to keep going.
And as she drifted off to sleep, she smiled, knowing that no matter what the exam results would be, she had already passed the most important test of all—raising a daughter with a heart full of love.
