There lived a girl named Lena who didn't like flowers. Well, how should I put it—she didn't like looking after them, but receiving bouquets as gifts was something she very much enjoyed. There wasn't a single potted flower in her room on the windowsill.
Lena had a friend called Katya. She was Lena's complete opposite when it came to flowers. Katya's room had potted flowers on the windowsill and on the shelves. When Lena came to visit her friend, she was always amazed at how beautiful it was. Just as one plant was dropping its flowers, another would only be starting to bloom.
Katya knew how Lena felt about flowers and so didn't insist that her friend take home even a single potted plant. Katya's father was a scientist, and when she was younger, they had moved house quite often with her parents. But when Katya started school, her parents decided it was time to stop moving. And so the girl was finishing Year 4.
But Katya's father was given an ultimatum: either he relocates or he loses his job. So that evening, when he came home, he announced the unwelcome news: they would be moving again.
Katya was very upset, and it wasn't just about having grown used to the city, school and friends. What worried her most was her potted plants, because she couldn't take them with her. They would simply get damaged and broken on the journey. But a solution was found. The school management happily agreed to take the potted plants.
Katya didn't know how to tell Lena about her move. She so wanted to give her something to remember her by. And Katya found just the thing: 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.
Katya packed the cactus in a gift box and set off to see 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 involved in important research. In order for him to continue it, we'll have to move to another city.
Said Katya.
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.
Said Katya 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 delight you with its flowers just as it delighted me.
A few days later, Katya left with her parents. And Lena was sad for a long time, with only the cactus to remind her of her friend. She realised that there was nothing difficult about looking after potted plants. And the plant rewarded her for her care—the cactus bloomed and filled the girl's room with an incredible fragrance.
