Paula’s Dry Folder

Paula carries her art folder to the bus stop. Simon walks beside her under the grey sky.

Big drops of rain land on the folder. Paula runs her hand across its damp paper cover.

They step into the empty bus shelter. Rain blows through the open side, so they move farther back.

“My drawing is inside,” says Paula. She holds the folder upright, away from the wet ground.

Simon remembers the wide zip bag in her backpack. Paula used it to carry her wet coat yesterday.

The bag is dry inside now. They slide the flat folder into it without bending the corners.

Paula closes the zip along the top. Rain can no longer fall straight onto the paper cover.

Now Paula carries the closed bag onto the waiting bus. Her drawing stays flat and dry all the way home.