The Secret Garden
How curiosity led to a hidden treasure of nature.
Ali was a 14 year old boy who resided in a small town. He enjoyed exploring new areas, particularly nature. His town was surrounded by hills and forests, and he spent most of his time hiking and finding new trails. His friends nicknamed him "The Explorer" because he was always curious and adventurous.
One hot afternoon in summer, strolling along the border of the woods, Ali spotted an old, rusty gate behind dense bushes. He had never noticed it before, though he had been to that spot numerous times. His curiosity overwhelmed him. He pushed the bushes aside and peered through the gate bars. To his surprise, he could see what appeared to be a neglected garden beyond tall grass, bright wildflowers, and vines up the crumbling walls.
Ali attempted to push the gate, but it was locked. Not wanting to give up, he looked around and discovered a minute hole in the nearby fence. He squeezed through it and stepped into the garden. Once he stepped inside, he felt as if he had entered a world of his own. Birds were singing, butterflies fluttered around flowers, and the air was scented with fresh fragrance.
He strolled further into the garden and came across a tiny pond at its center, encompassed by benches made of stone. No one had been there for many decades, as far as it appeared. Ali seated himself on a bench and thought about why the lovely site remained concealed and vacant.
He returned the following day and informed his closest friend, Zara, of his findings. Zara was thrilled to also see this. They visited the garden and looked around all corners together. They discovered hidden statues with green moss, crumbled fountains, and an enormous tree which had a swinging platform still clinging to its leaves.
Days went by, and Ali and Zara used to go to the garden frequently. They began tidying up the garden slowly, little by little picking weeds, adding new flowers, and mending the old swing. The garden started looking lively again. They even named the garden "The Secret Garden."
One Saturday, while Ali was digging close to the pond to plant new flowers, his shovel struck something solid. Intrigued, he dug further and discovered a little wooden box. On opening it, they found there were old letters, pictures, and a diary. The diary was from a lady called Mrs. Sofia, who had lived at the big house close to the garden before.
In her diary, Ali and Zara discovered that Mrs. Sofia used to like gardening and had developed the garden several years ago. When her family had left the place, the house and garden remained abandoned, and people soon forgot about them.
Ali and Zara felt that such a wonderful place and story shouldn't be forgotten. They informed their school and the town mayor about their discovery. All of them were shocked and moved by the story of Mrs. Sofia and her love of nature.
The town chose to revive the garden in its entirety. Volunteers united to clean, plant flowers, and fix the worn out statues and fountains. They even erected a sign at the entrance: "Sofia's Secret Garden A Place to Remember and Cherish Nature."
The forgotten garden was now a lovely park where families relaxed, children played, and people celebrated birthdays and other special events. Ali and Zara were commended for their curiosity and hard work, and the mayor gave them certificates of appreciation.
Ali learned something very valuable: sometimes, a little effort and curiosity can reveal hidden beauty and unite people. What began as a secret escapade became a present for the entire town.
Moral:
Curiosity and concern can yield fantastic findings that work out for everyone.
About the Creator
Hizb Ullah
.Lost in a thousand worlds 🌍| Reading is my escape
.Book hoarder & plot enthusiast 📖| Living life one chapter at a time
.Turning pages and chasing stories 📚| Fiction fuels my soul
.Every book is a new adventure 🌠| Reader. Dreamer. Wanderer
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The garden is a symbol of hope.