That morning, the soft golden light spread across the quiet highway.
Margaret, a middle-aged woman, was driving home from a short business trip when something on the roadside made her stop in shock.
There, on the grassy edge, lay a mother kangaroo, still and lifeless, her fur covered in dust — most likely the victim of a tragic accident.
Next to her stood a tiny joey, trembling, letting out faint cries as it nudged its mother again and again, unable to understand why she wouldn’t move.
Margaret’s heart tightened. She didn’t need to check — she could tell the mother was gone.
With gentle steps, she approached and knelt down, whispering softly,
“It’s alright, little one. I’ll take you somewhere safe.”
She opened a large fabric tote bag, carefully guided the frightened joey inside, and closed it loosely to let it breathe.
The baby squirmed at first, confused and scared, but Margaret’s calm voice and tender touch slowly eased its panic.
Placing the bag on the passenger seat, she drove home in silence, her heart heavy with compassion.
When she arrived, her husband and two children — Daniel and Lily — rushed to the door.
None of them could speak for a moment as they looked into the bag, where the tiny joey sat curled up, wide-eyed and trembling.
“It must be hungry,” Daniel murmured, fetching a small bottle of warm milk.
Margaret gently wiped away the dust and fed the joey, her hands steady but her eyes glistening with tears.
Over the following days, the joey began to adjust to its new home.
It hopped clumsily around the garden, hid behind flower pots, and nestled by Margaret’s feet while she read.
Lily loved feeding it carrots, while Daniel often played chase with it on the grass, laughter echoing through the yard.
Soon, the little joey became part of their family.
They named him Sunny, for in his gentle brown eyes, they saw the light of a new beginning —
a small sun that had risen from sorrow, warming every heart in their home. ☀️