Umbrellas

Wales is a country where it rains a lot. The sheep graze on the lush green hills, the grass growing thick from all the moisture in the air.

It is also said that the moist air contributes to the good singing voices of the Welsh people and thus gives rise to the many choirs throughout the country.

This story, Umbrellas, begins and ends in the rain--rain and umbrellas form the bookends of this sad story.

Children understand more about illness than adults give them credit for; they also support their parents and try to spare them from signs of their own suffering by hiding their feelings.

" 'Don't worry, Gwen.'
Gwen smiled at her mother. She did worry, but she didn't want her mother to know.' "

Gwen shows a happy exterior while hiding her sadness deep within.