Kira’s Secret Water Race — Before breakfast each summer morning, the pump handle squeaked and Kira raced herself: fill the tin can, circle the sunflower patch, and reach the back steps before the kitchen bell rang. Read the full story →
Before breakfast each summer morning, the pump handle squeaked and Kira raced herself: fill the tin can, circle the sunflower patch, and reach the back steps before the kitchen bell rang. She never told anyone about the challenge. The prize was only the splash-splash sound, the wet dirt smell, and the proud nod of the tallest flower. Until one hot morning, the can felt light too soon, and a lavender butterfly zigzagged over a strip of dusty little blossoms by the fence.
Kira stopped with the bell already clanging inside the house. Because she poured half her water along the fence, the sunflower leaves drooped in the climbing heat. Because those leaves drooped, she had to sprint to the rain barrel, sloshing water down her socks while bees buzzed like tiny engines. “Hold on, big faces,” she whispered, and tipped the last cool shower over their roots.
By noon, no one knew why the fence flowers stood up straight or why three butterflies danced there. Kira only grinned into her toast. Next time you spot the watering can near the sunflowers, see if you can guess which thirsty corner got helped first.
