Miss Ivy loved her garden, but sometimes she was too busy to *really* see it. She’d rush around, watering the flowers quickly and pulling up weeds with a swoop! She thought a garden needed lots of doing, not much of looking.
One evening, as the sun began to set, Miss Ivy decided to quickly tidy up. “Just a little weeding, a little watering,” she said to herself. But a tiny voice whispered, “Psst… Miss Ivy?”
Miss Ivy stopped. She looked around. Was someone there? “Hello?” she called. “Down here!” the voice said. Miss Ivy peeked under a big sunflower leaf and saw a little snail, slowly making its way across a petal.
“I was trying to tell you about the fireflies,” the snail said. “They’re getting ready for their evening dance, but you were moving too fast to notice!” Miss Ivy sat down, very carefully. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes for a moment.
She listened. At first, she heard only the buzzing of a bee. But then, she heard a tiny twinkling sound. And another! She opened her eyes and gasped. Little fireflies were blinking on and off, like tiny stars in the garden.
The snail smiled. “They only come out when it’s quiet,” he said. “They like to dance for those who take the time to listen.” Miss Ivy watched the fireflies, feeling peaceful and calm. She noticed the sweet smell of the night-blooming jasmine and the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze.
She realized her garden wasn’t just about *doing* things. It was about *being* in the garden, listening to it, and noticing all the little wonders. From that day on, Miss Ivy always took time to be quiet in her garden, listening to the whispers of the wind and the twinkling of the fireflies.
She learned that the best things in the garden – and in life – come to those who are patient and listen with their hearts. Now, close your eyes, little one, and listen to the quiet sounds around you. Sweet dreams.