The Plant by the Window

Nadia has a small plant on the windowsill in the living room. Every morning, she checks the soil before she goes to school. Her father tells her to press one finger gently into the soil. If the soil feels damp, the plant has enough water. If it feels dry, Nadia brings a small cup from the kitchen. She likes this job because it takes only a few minutes, and she can do it on her own.

One Saturday, Nadia notices a yellow leaf. She thinks the plant needs more water, but her father asks her to look at the pot first. There is a puddle on the tray underneath it. Nadia often waters the plant before breakfast. Her little brother tells her that he waters it after lunch, too. He wants to give her a hand, but neither of them knows when the other person does the job.

Now they keep a card beside the pot. Nadia writes the date on it whenever she waters the plant. Her brother reads the card before he picks up the cup. They take turns checking the soil, and they wait if it is still damp. A few weeks later, a pale green leaf appears. Her brother points to it and asks if they can start a second card for another plant.