Papa's Cough - A Story About Caring When Someone Is Sick

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Hazel

Papa’s Cough tells how Aminata wakes early to help at home while her Papa feels ill with fever and a cough. Concern grows as Mama keeps Aminata away to reduce the risk of infection, suggests Papa rest, and asks Aminata to make a picture to cheer him up. Aminata worries about what might happen, then helps clean household spots and learns the importance of washing hands before eating and after play or using the toilet.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages20

Reading Time50 min

Papa Gets Sick

Staying Apart and Wearing a Mask

Washing Hands and Helping at Home

Papa's Cough English Papa's Cough Written by Hazel Large, Christine Brodie, Tara Huberty Illustrated by Chandra Kurniawan The Aminata book series is funded by SIL International and SIL LEAD, Inc. English United States Local Copyright © 2021, SIL International and SIL LEAD, Inc. [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)[ ](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)You are free to make commercial use of this work. You may adapt and add to this work, but you may distribute the resulting work only under the same or similar license to this one. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. ...cough... Aminata woke early and went to help her mother and grandmother prepare the morning meal. The house was quiet except for the sound of **** cough **** cough **** cough *** ...cough... “Where is Papa?” asked Aminata. Papa was always awake before everyone else in the house. “Your Papa is feeling sick this morning,”explained Mama.“He has a fever and cough.” **** cough **** cough **** cough *** ...cough... Aminata went to see her Papa, but her mother stopped her. “No Aminata, you cannot go to your Papa. He might have the virus that is making people sick, so we must stay away and let him rest. Papa will stay in the bedroom and wear a mask to help make sure we don’t become sick too. Maybe you can make a picture for Papa to cheer him up.” **** cough **** cough **** cough *** ...cough... As she ate her meal, Aminata felt tears come to her eyes. She was very worried about her Papa, and had many questions in her mind. Would her Papa get better? What would happen if he died? And what if Mama got sick too? Maybe they would all become sick? Aminata sat quietly as she listened to her father **** cough **** cough **** cough **** She did not feel like eating anymore. ...cough... Mama saw Aminata’s tears and knew she was worried.“Come,” said Mama.“I will find out what we need to do for Papa while you help grandmother clean the house.” Aminata helped her grandmother to clean any places where Papa’s germs may have touched. They washed the door handles, tablesand faucets. Grandmother hummed a song while they worked, but Aminata still worried as she listened to her father **** cough **** cough **** cough **** ...cough... Mama told the children it was important to wash their hands before eating, and after playing or going to the toilet. She showed the children the best way to wash their hands. The children copied Mama and Aminata tried not to listen to her father **** cough **** cough **** cough ****

FAQs

Why does Mama keep Aminata away from Papa?

Mama says Papa might have a virus making people sick, so they should stay away and let him rest. Papa will stay in the bedroom and wear a mask to help prevent others from getting sick.

How does Aminata cope with her worry about Papa?

Aminata feels tears because she has many questions about whether Papa will get better. She then listens as Mama guides her to help at home.

What health habit does Mama teach the children during Papa’s illness?

Mama teaches the importance of washing hands before eating and after playing or going to the toilet. She also shows the correct way to wash hands, and the children copy her.

Jul 17, 2026

Upload by Hazel