1. The Garden Is Not Lonely Story and Illustration by Fong So Sum

2. Mary had a big garden in front of her house. The garden was lonely. Mary wanted to plant the garden with many flowers.

3. She watered the plants every morning. She talked to the plants every afternoon. She sang for the plants every evening.

4. First, the lilies bloomed. Next, the roses bloomed. Then, the tulips bloomed. The flowers bloomed.

5. The garden was not lonely. ‘Who is lonely?’ thought Mary. ‘The hospital is lonely.’

6. Mary went to the hospital and gave the flowers to the patients. A patient said happily, ‘I like the flowers and they give me love.’

7. Another patient said, ‘The flowers are very beautiful and they bring me hope.’ Patients were happy and Mary was happy too.

8. One day, Mary was sick and she stayed in the hospital. The flowers were thirsty and sad.

9. A patient got well. He asked Mary, ‘Can I help you to take care of the garden?’ ‘Yes, please!’ said Mary.

10. The patients got the flowers again. Mary got the flowers too. We are not lonely. We have beautiful flowers to share.

11. THE END