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Rain, Rain, Come Again...

It was a dreary day in 573 Land, the sky was dark and heavy with rain clouds. The sound of raindrops hitting the ground echoed through the streets, surrounding fields, and forest. Everyone was beginning to grow tired of the constant wet weather, and around town, the locals were slowly sinking into worn and sunken sofas.


Four children ranging from three to 11 and their puppy sit, bored, under the carport as the rain drips off the awning
'Rain, rain, go away'
...I'm so sick of being stuck inside all day...

A group of children huddled together in an open garage, their faces downturned as they watched the rain fall. Even their trusted hound felt out-of-sorts. "I wish the rain would go away," said one of the kids, kicking at a puddle. Someone blurted out, "Let's go in and TikTok." "No, I'm so sick of being stuck inside all day," added another. Suddenly, a little girl blurted out, "I heard if you sing 'Rain, rain, go away' three times, the rain will stop." Without missing a beat, all together, they chanted the familiar rhyme: "Rain, rain, go away, come again another day." Three times!


A woman at her wits end lets out a joyous laugh of relief with her hands raised..."Get out of the house" is in text above her; Advertisement for WorkSPACE co-working space for rent in Farmington, Missouri
This 573Magazine.com Story is brought to you in part by WorkSPACE co-working space in Farmington, Missouri.

As if by magic, the rain began to slow down, and mouths dropped. Then the clouds parted, and a brilliant beam of sunshine struck their faces. The children cheered and ran out into the yard, dancing in the sunshine and remaining drizzle.


a group of children and their puppy play outside in the sunshine, wet green grass, and mud after a rain
The children cheered and ran out into the yard

Three little girls laugh, rolling in the grass and splashing in mud
...a brilliant beam of sunshine struck their faces.

A small group of children and their puppy play and splash in mud puddles in a beautiful lush green yard
Ciapka wants to get in on the fun too!
The children cheered and ran out into the yard, dancing in the sunshine and remaining drizzle.
three little girls jump in a puddle splashing mud and laughing as their puppy tries to play too
There is no feeling quite like the joy of jumping in a puddle.
That's when they spotted the puddle.
three little girls jump and splash in a mud puddle with splatters of mud from head to toe
MUD PUDDLE DANCE PARTY!!!!


three little girls splash and play in a mud puddle
Playing outside for just 15 minutes a day can boost your immunities!

three sets of very muddy legs and feet splash in a puddle
Mud is very good for your skin...

A very small boy beams with joy and laughs aloud as he holds up a garden hose with running water
Little Axle had a blast chasing the girls with the water hose!
We need more!
A small boy giggles as he sprays three little girls with a water hose as they squeal and splash in the mud puddle
GOTCHA!
Time for some payback.
A little girl lies in a mud puddle with mud splatters from head to toe grinning from ear to ear
Halle smiles big behind a thick splatter of mud.

They splashed in the puddles, played tag-you're-it, and slid on the wet grass—soon all were muddy with green grass-stained clothing, a casualty of fun. All were totally worn out with achy muscles—they'd given their bodies just what they needed, movement.


two little girls rest on the ground after splashing in the mud with big grins
A very happy Lauren rests after her muddy dance.

three little girls lie on the ground splashing each other in a large mud puddle, laughing
There's something very therapeutic about splashing in the mud with friends.

three very muddy little girls relax in the grass soaking up the sun
A very muddy, and peaceful Autumn relaxes in the sun after all the excitement
...soon all were muddy with green grass-stained clothing, a casualty of fun.
three little girls jump and dance in a mud puddle spraying each other with a garden hose
BREAK'S OVER! Back to the fun!

three little girls pile up in a pyramid formation as a small boy surprises them with the garden hose
While the girls try a pyramid formation, Axle grabs an opportunity for fun

one little girl sits on the ground while another giggles and soaks her with a garden hose and yet another covered in mud looks on and laughs
Time to clean off!
A simple garden hose does magic in the right hands.
A little girl laughs and tries to block water being sprayed out of a hose by another little girl
NEXT!

three little girls spray each other with the hose and laugh
Now it's YOUR turn Autumn!

Three little girls rest in the grass after playing in the mud
They knew the rain would strike again...they were just happy to be there.
All were totally worn out with achy muscles—they'd given their bodies just what they needed...

In the end, the children realized that sometimes all it takes is a little bit of hope and positivity to brighten up a dreary day—and maybe some mud. They knew the rain would strike again soon, but for now, they were just happy to be there.


a small group of children sit in the mud with their puppy
Thank you to all our 573 rainy day friends!
...and so was their faithful hound.
A small girl in a group of kids holds a leash with her puppy sitting beside her
Ciapka says, "What are you waiting for? GET OUT THERE!"

Ok, I just made this story up to remind everyone in 573 Land that you have to get your kids outside and off phones, computers, and TVs. You are their only hope for a healthy, happy body. Force them to play in the rain, force them to hike, force them to ride a bike, force them to swim…you are their only hope and defense against bad—sometimes something stronger than encouragement is called for. They won't remember hanging on TikTok for days, but they will remember playing in the mud and wet grass for a few hours. Not only will you be doing right by your kids, but it will also force you to crawl out of your sunken sofa. If you are hoping for a new job, or a better home, or better health…


Stop hoping and Get Out There! This is a public service message from the Supreme Leader - 573 Magazine


produced by aj koehler

pics/words t. smugala

edited by d. smugala

dog - ciapka

boy - axle s.

girl 1 - autumn p.

girl 2 - lauren c.

girl 3 - halle e.


Shot on location in sunny Perryville.


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