Yuri clung tightly to her mom’s arm, her wide eyes darting around nervously as the boat gently rocked back and forth on the water. It was her very first time on a boat, and the unfamiliar swaying made her little heart race.
Her mom, sensing Yuri’s unease, stroked her tiny back reassuringly. “It’s okay, Yuri. Look around! See how beautiful the water is?” she said in a calm, soothing voice.
But Yuri wasn’t convinced. Every little splash against the boat’s hull made her jump, and the occasional creak of the wooden deck only made her more anxious. She gripped her mom’s hand as though her life depended on it, letting out small, unsure squeaks.
To ease her nerves, her mom pointed toward the horizon, where the water sparkled like diamonds under the sun. “Yuri, do you see the little birds flying over there? They love the water too!”
Yuri cautiously peeked out from her hiding spot behind her mom’s shoulder. Sure enough, a flock of birds was gracefully gliding just above the water. For a moment, her fear faded, replaced by a flicker of curiosity.
Encouraged by her reaction, her mom took a small piece of fruit from her bag and handed it to Yuri. “Here, have a snack. Let’s sit together and enjoy the breeze.”
Yuri hesitated but took the fruit. She nibbled on it while her mom gently hummed a tune, the melody blending perfectly with the sounds of the water. Slowly but surely, Yuri started to relax, even letting go of her mom’s hand to explore the edge of the boat with caution.
By the time the boat reached its destination, Yuri’s initial fear had transformed into awe. She smiled shyly at her mom, as if to say, “Maybe this isn’t so bad after all.” 🐒⛵🌊
