A Mother's Day surprise

On Mother's Day morning, the hospital ward was quieter than usual. Layla and her sister Ivy had come to visit their mum, who was recovering after an operation. They could not bring breakfast into the ward, so they had planned a different surprise. At the small table beside Mum's bed, Layla unfolded a card she had made from purple paper. Inside, she had written a message about the funny stories Mum told at bedtime. Ivy had brought a packet of coloured pencils and a sheet of paper. She drew the three of them sitting together under a big, bright sun. Their mum smiled as she read the card. “I love that you remembered the stories,” she said. Then she looked at Ivy's drawing and laughed gently. “That sun is almost as bright as you two.” A nurse came by to check Mum's bandage. The girls moved their things to the side so the nurse had room to work. When the check was finished, Mum asked the girls to tell her one of their favourite bedtime stories. Layla began, and Ivy added a silly ending. Soon all three were laughing. Their visit was not long, but the room felt warmer when they left.