In this soothing episode of Mello, we explore Ellie’s curious question: “How are raindrops formed?” Journey through the science of condensation, coalescence, and rainbows as we follow a raindrop from cloud to earth—and discover how even the stormiest days can surprise us with joy. With imaginative storytelling and mindful breathing, this episode helps young listeners embrace life’s changes, one raindrop at a time.

How are Raindrops Formed

Freedom of the Pursuit of Happiness

Hey! Thanks for dropping by. This is mello, where we answer your seriously goofy questions about the world, take you to faraway places in your imagination, and give you time to meditate.  

This episode, our question comes from Ellie:

Ellie:  “How are raindrops formed?”

I love this question! Did you know that when sunlight passes through a raindrop, the light slows down and bends (this is called refraction) because light travels more slowly in water than in air. This bending causes the light to spread out into its different colors. (Called a rainbow)

I want to learn even more so sit back, relax…and mello. 

Let’s start by getting our wiggles out. Go ahead and wiggle. 

That’s right–your toes and arms, your fingers and legs. Wiggle them up and down and all around. Now settle those wiggles into a snuggle. 

As you tuck into your cozy blanket, take a deep breath in, feeling your body fill with calm. As you exhale, whisper to yourself, “I am safe”. With your next inhale, feel your body fill with love. You exhale and whisper to yourself,  “I am loved.”

With your last deep breath, your imagination is now ready for our nighttime adventure. 

You are sitting at a window. Your view is distorted by the rain falling in sheets on the glass. Your chin rests in your hands. 

Big white clouds fill the sky. They are shaped by millions of water droplets - formed as water vapor in the atmosphere began bumping into each other; combining. This is called coalescence. 

The tiny droplets within are shaped when water vapor condenses. Warm invisible gas cools and transforms into liquid. 

Now imagine you are the water droplet. You’re forming high in the sky, gathering yourself together. You cling tightly to tiny specks of dust and pollen drifting through the sky. Hold them tightly as you squeeze your hands around them. Tight, tight, tight!

Then, as the clouds fill with more and more droplets, they become heavier and heavier - until you can't hold them anymore.

Slowly relax your hands, letting the droplets go. 

And just like that the first drop falls. The sky opens up and immediately everything changes. 

(plop of big rain drops) 

The rain is washing away everything you planned. No redo, no replacement—nothing can make up for the day you had envisioned, the one you were so excited for.

You find yourself annoyed by… each… fat.. raindrop ...that falls in front of you.

(plop of big rain drops, stay here for a moment big plops that start to sound like music)

The rain picks up falling heavily, you watch it with a sigh. 

(so much rain…. a shift in the music…maybe before it was a little melancholy and then as your mind shifts it becomes more cheerful….plays for a bit)

A growing sense of wonder fills you as you notice puddles beginning to form.

It is raining with such force that in a matter of minutes, the once tiny puddles now look like lakes and streams twisting across your lawn. 

You feel the rain calling you. In this moment, you know that you must be outside. You pull on your knee-high galoshes and quickly zip up your raincoat before dashing outside to dance and race amongst the giant raindrops. 

(zipper,  opening and shutting a door?…slightly louder rain as you go outside)

Giggles begin to bubble in your chest, and you tip your head back to the sky. A few drops land on your cheeks–and just like that you are smiling. You thought your day was ruined, yet here you are - happy.

The puddles are tempting you to jump in them. You feel the thrill of making a massive splash. You start running as fast as you can, yet as if in slow motion as the biggest puddle of them all gets closer. 

(running)

You take the leap and jump with both feet. 

(the best splash sound you can possibly muster)

The giggle bursts from your chest.

(giggles please…then a little music and rain for a moment before we do some breathing)

Take a deep breath in drawing fresh air into your lungs. Breathe in and out….in and out…..The unmistakable smell of summer rain washes over you. Breathe in and out….A sense of calm floods your mind, and your heart feels content. 

With another deep breath in and out… you feel your shoulders sink down. 

With each gentle plop of  a new drop falling you let go of the frustrations that clouded on your mind moments ago. Try to not hold onto any thought too tightly. Instead be present exactly where you are. 

(pause with music and rain)

Focus on this moment. The rain's rhythm is steady, familiar, settling around you.

(do you incredible magic here….give me goosebumps please)

While we don’t get to choose exactly how each day will unfold or what comes our way, we do get to choose how we embrace it. Just like clouds that grow heavier as they reach saturation—holding more water vapor than they can contain—eventually, they must release it. Rain falls. Skies shift. Clouds drift. Weather is always changing, and so are we.

It’s ok to let go of what you thought today would be.  Instead try to flow with the changes, letting them carry you somewhere new—somewhere unexpected, and maybe even joyful.

(some down time with music and rhythmic rain….slowly the rain slows)

The rain is beginning to slow and you start to make your way inside. It is time to take off your soggy boots and dripping socks to get into your warm cozy pajamas. 

It is time for bed.

The soft weight of your blanket wraps around you as you snuggle into your bed, laying your head on your pillow. Your body is tired and happy from the joy of puddle jumping. Your eyes start to grow heavy with sleep. 

Perhaps tomorrow the sun will shine. The puddles will begin to shrink under the warm rays of the sun. The water will drift back into the sky through evaporation; filling the atmosphere once again with water vapor. The cycle will continue.

You had a good day. A day filled with unexpected joy. Rain will come again, and the sun will also shine. 

Carry this thought with you as you drift off to sleep, dreaming of the adventures yet to come—already looking forward to the next rainy day.