Once upon a time, in the land of colors, there lived a little girl named Lila. She wasn’t just any little girl; her heart was as big as a giant. One sunny afternoon, she decided to wander through the Whispering Woods, her favorite place filled with chirping birds and rustling leaves. That day, however, she found something very unexpected.
As she explored a new pathway, she suddenly found herself standing before tremendously tall gates that looked like they could touch the sky! With great curiosity, Lila pushed the gates open and stepped inside. What a sight to behold! Lush green grass sprinkled with the brightest flowers stretched far and wide. Lila was standing in a gigantic garden.
But wait a moment. Lila was not alone! Sitting by a big apple tree, sobbing softly, was a giant. He had a huge nose that curled at the end, kind eyes that glimmered like stars, and hair as wild as a forest. Lila, though just a little girl, wasn’t frightened at all. Instead, she immediately wanted to help.
“Why are you crying?” she asked gently.
The giant looked up with surprise. “For years, I have been trying to keep my garden beautiful. But now, I am so old and tired that I cannot care for my garden anymore. Each day, I watch the flowers fade and the grass grow, and I don’t know what to do.”
Lila’s heart melted. “Don’t you worry! I will take care of your garden!” she declared.
And from that day on, Lila worked diligently in the giant’s garden. Every morning, she would rush there and water the flowers, pull out the weeds, and sing sweet songs so the birds would join her. Because every garden needs singing birds! Sometimes, the giant would watch her work and smile through his tears. Lila even found a little flower that giggled when you tickled it! “You’re so cute!” she said, giggling along.
With every passing day, Lila’s friendship with the giant grew. They told each other stories, sang funny songs, and even played games! Each time Lila would prepare to leave, the giant would chuckle and say, “Come back tomorrow, and don’t be late!”
One day, while working in the garden, Lila saw something amazing. Little green leaves appeared on the trees, flowers began to bloom, and bees zipped about. Lila’s heart danced with joy! “Look, Giant, see what your friends are doing for you!” She pointed excitedly, but the giant’s eyes were closed, and he did not stir. Carefully, Lila climbed up to the big apple tree to wake him—soon she was asleep herself!
The next day, she hurried to the giant’s garden, but the gates were locked tightly. “Giant! Giant!” she cried, “Open the gates and let me in!”
Gently, they swung open, and there was the giant, sleeping peacefully under the apple tree. Lila ran quickly to his side and kissed the big old nose. The giant smiled and opened one eye. Then another!
“Oh, little Lila!” he laughed, “I was just dreaming that tomorrow, all my friends would be coming to visit me!”
For now, the giant looked so well that every day the garden seemed more beautiful than the last. On the morning of the great day came birds, bees, and butterflies from all over. Their buzzing and chirping brought everyone from the neighborhood. All the little animals and all the little people was delighted to see the giant because he was so kind to them. This was the best day ever!
“You see, giant,” said Lila, “because you have gotten better, everyone comes to sing you a ‘Welcome back!’ song, and the flowers and trees all join in!”
And that was how kindness made the lovely garden that day brighter than ever before. Each friend went home, happy and content. But Lila didn’t forget the giant; every afternoon, to the garden gate she’d zip. And the whispering trees would bend down low as to say, “Welcome, Little Lila.”