Ruby and the Rainy Picnic

Part One

Ruby had a plan for the day. She would have a picnic in the park.

She filled a basket with bread and plums. Dad packed a big red blanket, too.

Then they looked out of the big window. Gray clouds were rolling in fast.

Drip, drip, drop went the rain. Ruby felt her smile fall off.

"No picnic," she said. "The grass will be wet." She sat down on the stairs.

Dad looked at the full basket. Then he looked at the clean floor.

"Why not have it here?" he said. "The floor is not wet at all."

Ruby sat up. "A picnic inside!" she said. She ran to get the blanket.

They spread it out by the window. The rain tapped on the glass.

Ruby ate bread and a plum. She felt warm and dry and happy.

"This is the best picnic yet," she said. Dad smiled. The rain kept on tapping.