Selian returned late from her friend’s birthday party the previous night and so, she woke up late. She hurriedly took her breakfast which was the rice she brought home from the party. She knew her teacher would be angry and it worried her because she hated making her teacher angry.
When Selian stepped into her class, Mrs. Paulina was already explaining the importance of plants to humans. She turned and looked at Selian.
“I’m sorry, Mrs Paulina. I did not wake up early. I promise it won’t happen again.” Selian apologized.
Mrs Paulina nodded and Selian walked to her seat.
Selian always enjoyed Mrs Paulina’s lessons. The teacher explained the importance of plants and Selian was surprised that humans needed oxygen from plants. Mrs Paulina’s explanation was clear and Selian felt bad because of something that happened at home the previous day.
When the bell for break rang and the other pupils were hurrying out, Selian walked to Mrs Paulina. She was so sad.
“Is there a problem?” Mrs Paulina asked.
“I just want to ask what I’m supposed to do for plants. Since they are important to us, we have an obligation to them.” Selian answered.
Mrs Paulina was impressed. She loved Selian because she was curious.
“Your duty is to take care of plants. We need to plant more trees so that we can breathe better.” Mrs Paulina explained.
“Is it really important?” Selian asked.
Mrs Paulina smiled. “It is very important. The Earth is changing because we are not planting enough trees. We will discuss more after break.”
Selian walked out looking at the trees in the school yard, wondering which one gave her the oxygen she was breathing. She stood close to a tree and placed her hand on the trunk imagining how wonderful God created the world.
When Selian got home from school, she removed her school uniform and rushed to the back of the house. She carefully raised up the young mango plant that she had pressed down while playing the previous day. With her palms, she scooped and supported the stem of the young plant.
“I’m sorry about yesterday. I did not know that we needed each other to survive. Forgive me and grow up.” Selian said to the young plant.
She sat down and looked at the plant. It looked more brownish than green. Selian wondered why it was so and assumed that it was because it did not have enough water. She ran into the house and brought a cup of water and poured it on the mango plant.
Selian’s mother wondered what her daughter was doing behind the house that made her ignore her food. She walked to the back of the house and found her daughter speaking to herself. She didn’t know that Selian was talking to her mango plant.
“Please don’t die. Grow up and be big like the trees in my school. I will give you water everyday so that you can grow.” Selian said touching the mango plant.
Selian’s mother tiptoed back into the house.
Days passed and Selian finished doing her examinations. Selian and her family were to travel to her grandmother’s house for the holiday. Selian felt sad and wished she could carry her mango plant which she called Browny along. She asked her mother if she could stay back but her mother refused.
“Mama, who will take care of Browny when we are gone?” Selian asked.
“Your mango will be alright. We are just staying there for two weeks.” Selian’s mother answered.
“I will miss my mango plant.”
“There are many mango trees in grandmother’s place. You can take care of them.” Selian’s mother told Selian.
The holiday seemed like a year and Selian missed Browny. She told her grandmother about her mango plant and explained the importance of plants to humans. Her grandmother was delighted. Grandmother encouraged Selian to plant more trees and gave her seeds of orange and guava. Selian was very happy.
When Selian returned from her grandmother’s house, she rushed to the back of the house to see Browny but it was gone. Selian cried as she planted the orange and guava seeds her grandmother gave her.
Read – A happy and a Sad Boy – A Children’s Story by Chishimba Kaputo, Zambia
Wow! Inspiring, cute Seliana😘