Umbrella

Hello there. I am an Umbrella. My job is to be your special friend for all kinds of weather. When the sky starts to cry little raindrops, I pop open to keep you cozy and dry. You can hear the pitter-patter of the rain on my head, but you stay warm underneath. I am like a little roof you can carry. When the sun is shining very bright and hot, I open up to give you a cool, shady spot to rest. I love making sure you are comfortable whether it is rainy or sunny. I am always ready to help.

My family has been around for a long, long time. My great-great-grandparents were called parasols, and they lived in warm, sunny places like Egypt and China. They loved to keep important people cool from the hot sun. They were not made for the rain, only for sunshine. But then, one day in the 1750s, a kind man named Jonas Hanway had a big idea. He lived in a city called London, where it rained a lot. He decided I could be a friend for the rain, too. At first, some people giggled when they saw him walking with me. But soon, they saw how wonderfully dry he stayed, and everyone wanted a rain-friend like me.

Now, I am a buddy for everyone. And I am so much more colorful and fun. You can find me with bright yellow ducks, red polka dots, sparkly stars, or even pictures of your favorite animals. I love having so many happy designs. It makes me feel cheerful when I pop open. I am so happy that I get to be your helpful friend. Whenever you see dark rain clouds in the sky or feel the hot sun on your face, I am ready for our next adventure together. I will always be here to keep you safe and dry.