My Four Miraculous Treasures

As a mother, she'd developed a preternatural sense for danger, along with the quick reflexes to respond to it.

Quick as a whip, she caught hold of Lilith's hand and yanked her out of the way.

Hot water spilled over the edge of the stovetop. Willow held out her arm to ward her children away from the hazard.

With her four precious angels safely arrayed before her, the anguish in her heart finally broke free, and a solitary tear fell to the floor.

Her young children gaped at her cluelessly, not fully understanding what had just happened. It was the perfect moment to teach them a vital lesson: "The most dangerous part of this whole process is that you might scald yourself with the hot water, which would leave you permanently disfigured. That's why, when you're doing this yourselves, you have to fetch a chair to stand on, so that you can easily get the kettle from the stove."

"I understand, Mommy. From now on, I'll fill the milk bottles for the others." That was Tristan, responsible as always.

As the eldest, he was typically the most sensible and mature one among the four quadruplets. He regularly voiced his own opinions and could get lots of things done on his own.

Back then, he was the first to learn how to put on his own clothes. Right away, he'd begun helping his siblings with that.

"Me too, Mommy! I'll go get a chair." Filled with excitement, Julian went running out on his short little legs to fetch a chair.

Hailey kept quiet as she continued staring at her mother in awe.

Lilith was still recovering from that frightening episode. "I got it, Mommy..." she quavered. "I'll never reach for the kettle that way again."

This caused Willow to smile. She stroked Lilith's head affectionately. "There's a good girl. Mommy's gonna make you another bottle, so that you and Hailey will each have your own to drink from."

"Let me do it, Mommy! I'll make a bottle for Lilith!" Julian appeared with a children's chair. The straight-backed chair was about as tall as the boy was, himself.

Puffing and panting, he brought the chair over. Clearly, it was a tough job for him, but he was determined to see it through.

Willow didn't stop him. Instead, she announced, "I'll clean up this water on the stovetop."

Quickly, she fetched a rag and mopped up the water that Lilith had spilt, before replacing the kettle once more. With all that done, she stepped aside to allow Julian through.

Climbing atop the chair, Julian refilled the kettle, placed it upon the stove, and flicked the switch. Although his movements were a bit uncertain, he was doing everything correctly.noveldrama

Willow hadn't taught the children how to operate the stove-and yet, Julian had already figured it out? A child's ability to learn was far beyond what most adults assumed.

She'd never discouraged her

children from learning and trying out new things. Even if there might be danger, what she always did was warn them about it in advance, and teach them how to handle things safely. She never simply barred them from the whole endeavor outright, doing everything for them instead.

After all, she couldn't be there to keep them safe twenty-four hours a day, every day.

Teaching them to look after and do things for themselves would ultimately teach them how to keep themselves safe and independent. That was the best form of protection she could give them.

Soon, the water was at a boil. With great effort-but also great care―Julian lifted the kettle and poured some hot water into one of the bottles before topping it off with some cold water.

Then he began scooping milk powder into the bottle, just like he'd seen Willow do.

His hand wasn't perfectly steady as he did so, and some of the milk powder fell around the bottle instead. Nevertheless, a proper bottle of milk formula had been prepared.

With a plump little hand, Julian

picked the bottle up, and then noticed that there was milk powder on the outside, too. He scratched his head sheepishly. "I'm sure I was holding the scoop right... I didn't feel it shaking at all! So why...?"

Willow laughed fondly. "You've done a great job, Julian. It's amazing what a clever boy you are!"

Julian beamed in delight and triumph. "Well, I'm your son, after all!"

That pure, innocent sentiment warmed her heart all over.

Hailey and Lilith began drinking their milk; neither Julian nor Tristan wanted to have any right then. They spent a while with their mother and then went back to their room to play with their toys.