The Flower Wakes Up!

Nishane peered into the little pot, his brow furrowed in concentration. It had been two whole days since he’d given the droopy little sprout some water. He’d followed Ammi’s instructions perfectly, measuring the water just so, making sure the pot sat in a sunny spot on the windowsill. Yet, the tiny plant still looked sad. Its leaves were curled and limp, a pale green that whispered of unhappiness. Nishane sighed, a puff of air that barely disturbed the dust motes dancing in the sunlight. He had hoped, oh how he had hoped, that by now, it would be standing tall and proud, reaching for the sky like the other plants in Ammi’s garden.

A little knot of disappointment tightened in his tummy. He had tried. He had done exactly what he thought he was supposed to do. Was it his fault? Had he somehow made it worse? He remembered Ammi’s words from their talk, her gentle voice weaving through his thoughts: "Nishane, my dear, the world is full of wonders, and sometimes, the answers aren't as simple as finding a lost toy. Keep your eyes open, your mind curious, and your heart brave. Knowledge is a treasure, and it's always worth searching for."

He looked at the little plant again. It was a treasure, wasn't it? A tiny, living treasure that needed his help. He couldn't just give up. He wouldn't. He thought about Professor Owl, perched high in the old oak tree, his wise eyes missing nothing. Professor Owl didn't always give direct answers, Nishane remembered. He liked to ask questions that made Nishane think, that made him look closer.