Timmy Wonders... Where Does the Rain Come From? (illustrated)

Year Seven Geography.

Mock Usbourne Publishing children's book explaining the water cycle, introducing the character of Timmy (who is not from South Park) and his mother. The child's beliefs of the rain being God's urine or wine comes from my own spoken pondering of personal philosophy in Year Three, whilst on the bus to (or from) school (it may have been in the car with my parents, come to think of it) during rainfall. I love this story, by the way, even though a certian logic barrier will come down where you wonder why a mother his teaching her young child 'advanced' Geography intended to be taught to Year Sevens.

Tuesday 7th October 2008
Describe the journey that takes place during the water cycle.

Pitter patter. Pitter patter. The rain fell down from the skies. "Mummy, where dos rain come from? Is it god peeing?" Timmy asked, fortunate to be inside, sheltered from the rain. "No, it is not god peeing!" his mummy said. "Is it god spilling his wine?" Timmy asked. "No!" his mummy shouted. "Well, where does it come from then?" Timmy asked. "Far away from the sea, the water evaporates and..." "Mummy, what is evaporates mean?" "It means when a liquid becomes a gas." "Water can be a gas?!" Timmy asked, confused.

"Yes," his mummy answered. "If a liquid becomes cold it warm it changes into a gas. If it becomes cold it turns into ice." "You sure a wizard didn't do it?" Timmy asked. "Correct. It's just what nature does. As a gas, it flies up into the air and turns back to water, which forms clouds. It doesn't have to be water, it could be snow, sleet or hail. This is called condensation. It moves and falls from the skies, which is called precipitation". It eventually falls back into the sea. This is called Subsurface Runoff and then it goes down into underground streams, drains or sewers "Why are the words so big and are hard to pronounce?" Timmy asked. "With so many words in the world, the only words scientists can use are really, really big words!" his mummy answered. "The water goes into a drain or mountain, and flows through an underground stream, drain or a sewer. This is called Subsurface Runoff. "Don't you mean Submarine Runoff?" Timmy asked. "No, Timmy. Submarines don't have don't drains.

© 2008 Peter Webb.