The Secret of Growing Flowers
Amy helped her mother in their vegetable garden every day, so the vegetables would be healthy and ready for the market. Amy often pretended the plants she took care of were beautiful chrysants (菊花) , like Mrs. Taylor's prize flowers.
"Foolish girl!" her mother scolded. "No one in our poor village wastes money so foolishly on flowers. Take care of the vegetables. That's our living."
Amy knew her mother was right. The only person in the village who made money by selling flowers was Mrs. Taylor. Every year she won first prize at the Chrysant Festival. Other competitors whispered that Taylor used magic to grow her chrysants.
Amy envied Mrs. Taylor. But chrysants were expensive to start, and Amy could only dream about growing them.
One day, Amy visited Mrs. Taylor. Mrs. Taylor was inspecting her chrysants. "Spying on me again!" Taylor frowned. "But, Mrs. Taylor, I only come to see your flowers." Amy took a deep breath. "I wish I could grow beautiful chrysants and win a prize at the festival like you."
"You?" Mrs. Taylor laughed. "Child, do you know what's required to grow such flowers? The secret of growing chrysants has been passed down from my grandfather. Stick to vegetables. Leave flowers to those who know the secret." Taylor pulled up a weak plant and threw it away.
Suddenly Amy had an idea. She asked for Taylor's permission to have that plant, dashed back home, and grew it behind the cottage. She leaned close to the hanging leaves and whispered, "Grow, little flower. You don't have to win a prize. Just grow." She took care of her plant every morning and evening. "You are my beautiful plant," Amy would sing softly, as she weeded and watered it. "Someday, you will bloom (开花) prettier than any flower at the festival." Each time Amy visited her little plant, it looked greener and taller. Time seemed to fly by as the festival neared.
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On the morning of the festival, when Amy visited her plant again, she screamed with delight.
Amy'schrysant won first prize as Mrs. Taylor had predicted.
