The Girl Who Could Hear Plants

by Luna Nightingale

Ivy had a special secret in her garden.

Grade 1: Early readers10 pages

A girl discovers she can hear plants talking and must help save the community garden from being paved over

Characters

Ivy

Old Oak

+2 more

Urban Street Collage

Story Arc

Ivy loved the community garden. Green leaves brushed her hands. A gentle hum filled the air around her. She felt very peaceful here.

One day, Ivy knelt by a small sprout. She leaned in close to it. A tiny whisper tickled her ear. “More water, please,” it seemed to say.

Ivy looked up, surprised. Did she just hear that? She looked at Old Oak. Old Oak seemed to nod slowly.

Later, a large notice appeared. It said the garden would be gone. Workers would pave it over soon. Old Oak seemed very sad.

Ivy heard the plants then. “We need sun!” whispered the tomatoes. “Our roots are deep!” sighed the flowers.

She tried to tell the grown-ups. “The plants are talking!” she said. But they only smiled kindly at Ivy.

Ivy went back to Old Oak. “They don’t understand,” she whispered. Old Oak gently rustled its leaves. “Show them,” it seemed to say.

The next day, Ivy drew big pictures. One showed thirsty flowers. Another showed sun-loving squash. She pointed to each one.

The grown-ups looked at Ivy’s drawings. They looked at the plants. They saw the garden with new eyes. They began to understand.

The garden was saved! Everyone worked together now. Ivy still listened to the plants. Their happy whispers filled the air.

Make one of your own next.

community: A place where many people live and work together, like a garden for everyone.; Ivy loved the community garden.
gentle: Soft and kind, not rough or loud.; A gentle hum filled the air around her.
peaceful: Calm and quiet, feeling happy and not worried.; She felt very peaceful here.
sprout: A new baby plant that is just starting to grow.; One day, Ivy knelt by a small sprout.
whisper: To speak very softly, so others can't hear you easily.; A tiny whisper tickled her ear.
surprised: Feeling amazed or like something unexpected happened.; Ivy looked up, surprised.
notice: A sign or paper that tells people something important.; Later, a large notice appeared.
pave: To cover the ground with a hard material, like roads are made.; Workers would pave it over soon.
sigh: To let out a long, deep breath when you are sad or tired.; “Our roots are deep!” sighed the flowers.
grown-ups: Adults, or people who are older than children.; She tried to tell the grown-ups.
rustled: Made a soft sound, like leaves moving in the wind.; Old Oak gently rustled its leaves.
drawings: Pictures that are made with a pencil, crayon, or marker.; The grown-ups looked at Ivy’s drawings.
thirsty: Needing a drink of water.; One showed thirsty flowers.
squash: A type of vegetable that grows on a vine.; Another showed sun-loving squash.
saved: Kept from harm or destruction.; The garden was saved!