Lily was a delightful girl, with sunshine-yellow hair and eyes like sparkling blueberries. But Lily had a secret: she loved to sleep. More than playing, more than eating delicious cookies, more than anything – Lily loved sleeping!
Every morning, her chores waited. Her toys lay scattered across her room like fallen stars. Her little garden, bursting with vibrant sunflowers and cheerful marigolds, was overgrown with weeds. Lily would yawn, stretch, and burrow back under her covers, promising herself she'd do it later.
One day, her grandmother, Nana Rose, visited. Nana Rose had hands as wrinkled as autumn leaves, but a heart as warm as a summer day. She saw the state of Lily's room and garden, and instead of scolding, she simply smiled.
“Lily, my dear,” Nana Rose said, “would you like to help me bake a pie? We need fresh berries from the garden.”
Lily, surprised by the kind invitation, considered it. She knew the berry bushes were overgrown. It would take a lot of work to clear them. But the idea of a warm, delicious pie, and spending time with Nana Rose, was tempting enough to overcome her laziness.
Together, they worked. Lily, with Nana Rose’s gentle guidance, learned how to carefully pull the weeds, how to pick the plumpest berries without damaging the bushes, and even how to organize her toys into neat piles. It was hard work, but Lily felt a sense of accomplishment with each completed task.
As they baked the pie, filling their kitchen with the sweet scent of berries and cinnamon, Lily realized something important. The feeling of accomplishment, the joy of sharing the pie with Nana Rose, was far more rewarding than any extra minute of sleep.
The next morning, Lily woke up early. The sun peeked through her curtains, painting the room in warm, inviting light. She skipped into the garden, eager to tend to her flowers. Her room was clean, organized, and ready for a new day. Lily learned that while rest is important, hard work and being responsible makes you feel very happy.
From that day on, Lily didn't stop being a girl who enjoyed a good sleep. But now, she also knew the satisfaction of a job well done, and the immense joy of sharing kindness with others. She learned that helping others and being responsible was as sweet as the pie she baked with Nana Rose. And that, she knew, was a delicious recipe for happiness.