Chapter 1: A Spoonful of Sickness

The rain had been pouring down for what felt like hours, and Mary Poppins, Bert, Jane, and Michael were having the time of their lives dancing and singing in the downpour. With her umbrella in hand, Mary Poppins twirled and spun, her eyes shining with joy as she sang "A Rainy Day Afternoon." Bert, Jane, and Michael joined in, laughing and spinning alongside her. But as the song came to an end, Mary Poppins realized she was soaked to the bone. Her usually impeccable coat and hat were drenched, and her hair was plastered to her head. Bert, ever the gentleman, offered her his handkerchief, which she gratefully accepted. "Oh, Bert, I'm afraid I'm a bit... damp," she said, dabbing at her hair with the handkerchief. "Nonsense, Mary! You're just... refreshingly radiant," Bert replied with a grin. Jane and Michael giggled at the exchange, but Mary Poppins couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in for a bit of trouble. As they made their way back to the Banks' residence, she began to feel a tickle in the back of her throat. At first, she brushed it off as a minor annoyance, but as the evening wore on, her symptoms only worsened. Her throat grew scratchier, her body ached, and she felt a fatigue wash over her that she couldn't ignore. As she helped Jane and Michael get ready for bed, Mary Poppins realized that she was coming down with something. She tried to hide it from the children, but they were perceptive and noticed that she was struggling. "Mary Poppins, you don't feel well, do you?" Jane asked, concern etched on her face. Mary Poppins forced a smile. "Oh, I'm just a bit... tired, that's all. I'll be fine in the morning, I assure you." But as she tucked the children into bed and bid them goodnight, she couldn't shake off the feeling that she was in for a bout of illness. She made her way to her room, feeling rather miserable, and collapsed onto her bed with a sigh. As she drifted off to sleep, she couldn't help but wonder if her usually magical and mysterious self would be sidelined by a simple cold. And what would happen to the children if she wasn't at her best? Only time would tell.