Once upon a time, nestled amongst a bunch of other bananas, lived a little banana named Benny. Benny was a very special banana, plump and yellow, but he had a secret worry.
Every day, Benny watched the other bananas get picked first. They'd be whisked away to the market, or maybe even a little kid's lunchbox. Benny felt a little bit left behind.
One sunny afternoon, a little girl named Lily came into the banana stand. She picked a bright red strawberry, a plump orange mango, and a juicy green apple. Benny watched, his yellow skin feeling a little lonely.
Just as she reached for another apple, a warm breeze whispered through the banana bunch.
‘Don’t be sad, Benny,’ said a wise old banana. He was very wrinkled and dark brown and had seen many a sunny day. ‘Patience is a sweet fruit. Just wait.’
Benny listened carefully. He tried to think of the things he could do while waiting. He imagined himself being eaten in the most delicious way by the best of all children. He imagined the yummy treat that was waiting to happen.
Suddenly, Lily looked down at the bananas and smiled. 'Ooh, look at these plump bananas!' she said. She carefully picked one, a perfect, golden yellow banana, right next to Benny.
She smiled at Benny and said, ‘Benny, you look delicious too. Want to come home with me?’
Benny felt a warm glow inside him. He understood. Lily hadn't picked him first, but she picked him at all, and that meant that he was just as special as all the other fruits.
Lily carefully placed Benny into her lunchbox, among the apple and the other delicious treats. She took another look at the other bananas, gently nudging them to comfort them. At the end of her lunch break, she took a bite from Benny’s skin.
As Lily savoured the banana, she thought about how it had been patiently waiting. And she smiled to herself, knowing that waiting well can bring the best rewards.
Benny closed his eyes and smiled. He was finally ready for his journey to a delicious, happy ending. The best part? He wasn’t alone in his adventure. He was with Lily, and together, they shared the sweetest taste of all – friendship.