Menia looked outside of her shack window, observing the youth of her sons outside. She felt a touch at her nerves at the idea of how much mud was being sloshed around. Every once and awhile a mud all would soar in her direction and she reflexively flinched. In some cases, it was all that saved her from a messy mouthful. But instead the wall behind became a canvas of innocence.

She shook her head and shut the window, despite the steaming heat that made the quaint kitchen stifling while she boiled soup on the wooden stove. She hadn't the heart to scold her sons on the muddy wall. For a week they had been cooped up during the rain and it could easily be another or two before they saw the sun again should the rain not hold off again. With no skilled doctors in the village she couldn't afford any one of her little men to catch a bug. While now they were joyous and free, soon they would find themselves in the mill to bring in bread and clean water.

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Five boys, one scruffy little football and it couldn't be anything but Heaven for the brothers. Milie, Jose, Joris, Baniz, and Philip wrestled in the river of water the rainy season had gifted them. It was cool on their skin and countered the unforgiving humidity and sun when it peaked beyond the gathering clouds. They knew this could be their last run for days if they didn't play for as long as their little hearts could without food.

Philip the smallest of the group was gripping the ball, jerking around as Jose, the largest, wrenched him around mercilessly. Joris, Baniz, and Mile were tripping all over themselves trying find a chance at Philip and footing in the water. One wrong step and the softened ground and an unfortunate soul could find himself knee deep and sinking.

"Let go, you monkey's ass!" Joris the middle child cried out. The other two laughed harder and pressed on him until he sank and then fell back against Philip and Jose. The ball was knocked out of the two pairs of hands and into the air to catch the first drops of rain.

The sky erupted in tears and moaned deep into its infinite throat. Below the scene was mirrored in five little broken faces. If the rain didn't let up now they wouldn't be out until they had their raft repaired.