There was a girl named Lena who didn't like flowers. Well, how should I put it—she didn't like looking after them. But she absolutely loved receiving bouquets as gifts. There wasn't a single potted flower on the windowsill in her room.
Lena had a best friend named Katie. She was the complete opposite of Lena when it came to flowers. Katie's room had potted plants on the windowsill and on the shelves. When Lena came to visit her friend, she was always amazed at how beautiful it looked. Just as one plant finished flowering, another would start to bloom.
Katie knew how Lena felt about flowers, so she never insisted that her friend take home even one potted plant. Katie's dad was a scientist, and when she was younger, they'd moved around quite a bit with her parents. But when Katie started school, her parents decided it was time to stop moving. Now the girl was finishing Year 4.
However, Katie's dad was given an ultimatum: either he relocates or he loses his job. So that evening, when he came home, he announced the bad news: they would be moving again.
Katie was very upset, and it wasn't just about getting used to the city, school, and friends. She was more worried about her potted plants, as she couldn't take them with her. They would simply get damaged and broken on the journey. But a solution was found. The school administration happily agreed to take the potted plants.
Katie didn't know how to tell Lena about her move. She so wanted to give her something to remember her by. And Katie found it: among her flowers was a cactus. It was an unusual cactus that could flower several times a year. The girl loved it dearly, because when it bloomed, her room would fill with an incredible fragrance. The cactus's flowering lasted only a short time—just a couple of days—but the girl was always delighted by it.
Katie packed the cactus in a gift box and went to her friend.
Hello, come in quickly.
Lena greeted her at the door of her flat.
I need to tell you something.
If you need to, then tell me.
You know my dad is a scientist. And he's working on important research. For him to continue with it, we'll have to move to another city.
Katie said.
What? Can't you stay here with your mum?
Lena asked with tears in her eyes.
That's impossible. We're a family and shouldn't be separated. But don't worry. We'll keep in touch by phone. Besides, I have a gift for you—it will remind you of me.
Katie said and handed Lena the box.
The girl quickly unwrapped the gift. But it didn't make her very happy.
Don't worry, the cactus doesn't need special care. You just need to water it at least once a week. This will be our friendship cactus. I'll take a cutting from it and grow one too. And if you look after it properly, it will bring you joy with its flowering just as it brought me joy.
A few days later, Katie and her parents left. Lena was sad for a long time, and only the cactus reminded her of her friend. She realised that there was nothing difficult about caring for potted plants. And the plant rewarded her for her care—the cactus bloomed and filled the girl's room with an incredible fragrance.
