Amara held Elena’s hand as they walked to the neighborhood bakery garden. Elena was Amara’s grandmother and caregiver, and she knew that the garden was one of Amara’s favorite places to visit. The bakery smelled like warm bread. The garden smelled like green leaves and little flowers.
They sat together on a wooden bench. Amara’s feet did not touch the ground, so she swung them gently while Elena looked toward the bakery door.
Then a tiny light blinked near the grass.
Blink. Blink.
“Look, Elena,” Amara said.
“It’s Poppy,” Elena said. “Poppy is a firefly.”
Poppy blinked again beside a soft green leaf. Amara watched quietly. The little light moved across the garden, then settled on a yellow flower.
Elena opened a paper bag. Inside was a fresh roll from the bakery.
“We can make a gift for someone in our family,” Elena said.
Amara held the bag open with both hands. Elena placed the roll inside. The bag made a soft crinkling sound.
“Roll in,” Amara said.
“Roll in,” Elena agreed.
A small flower lay on the bench. Amara picked it up with careful fingers and placed it on top of the bag.
The flower slipped off and landed beside her.
“Oh,” Amara said.
She picked it up and tried again. This time, she held the flower in place while Elena folded the top of the bag. The flower stayed there, peeking over the edge.
“Pretty,” Amara said.
“Very pretty,” Elena said.
Just then, Mr. Luis walked along the garden path. He was their neighbor. He smiled and lifted his hand.
“Hello,” he said.
Amara stayed close to Elena and held her hand. She looked at Mr. Luis for a moment. Then she waved first.
“Hello,” she said softly.
“Hello, Amara,” Mr. Luis answered.
He smiled at the flower. He did not ask Amara for a hug or ask her to say more. He simply gave her time to stay close to Elena and finish her gift.
Amara looked down at the paper bag. The roll was snug inside, and the little flower stood at the top.
“Ready to go?” Elena asked.
Amara nodded. She carried the gift with both hands while Elena walked beside her.
At the garden gate, Amara looked back. Poppy was still near the bench.
Blink. Blink.
“Bye, Poppy,” Amara said.
The firefly blinked once more in the evening air. Amara and Elena walked home with the warm roll and the bright little flower. The paper bag rustled softly between Amara’s hands, and Poppy’s tiny light shone behind them.
Talk about the story
1.Who walked with Amara?
2.What did Amara put on the bag?
3.What was Poppy?
