There was a girl named Lena who didn't like flowers. Well, to be more precise, she didn't like taking care of them. But receiving bouquets as gifts—she absolutely loved that. There wasn't a single potted flower in her room on the windowsill.
Lena had a 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 shelves. When Lena visited her friend, she was always amazed at how beautiful it looked. Just as one plant finished blooming, another would start to flower.
Katie knew how Lena felt about flowers and didn't insist that her friend take home even one potted plant. Katie's dad was a scientist, and when she was younger, they moved quite often because of his work. But when Katie started school, her parents decided it was time to stop moving. Now the girl was finishing fourth grade.
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, since 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 wanted so much to give her something to remember her by. And Katie found the perfect thing: among her flowers was a cactus. It was an unusual cactus that could bloom several times a year. The girl loved it dearly, because when it bloomed, her room filled 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's place.
Hi, come in quickly.
Lena greeted her at the door of her apartment.
I need to tell you something.
If you need to tell me, then go ahead.
You know my dad is a scientist. And he's working on important research. In order for him to continue it, we'll have to move to another city.
Katie said.
What? Can't you stay here with your mom?
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 stay in touch by phone. Besides, I have a gift for you that 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 require 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 take care of it properly, it will delight you with its blooms just as it delighted me.
A few days later, Katie left with her parents. Lena was sad for a long time, and only the cactus reminded her of her friend. She realized that taking care of potted plants wasn't difficult at all. And the plant rewarded her for her care—the cactus bloomed and filled the girl's room with an incredible fragrance.
