Lala loved fruit more than anything else in the world. Sweet mangoes, juicy watermelons, crunchy apples, and even sour green plums—she adored them all. Whenever Mom brought home a basket of freshly picked fruits, Lala’s eyes would sparkle like stars.
One sunny morning, Mom returned from the market carrying a large woven basket filled with colorful treasures. There were bright yellow bananas, slices of ripe papaya, a handful of grapes, and a few rosy peaches. Lala’s little nose twitched as she smelled the fragrance. She clapped her hands excitedly, bouncing around the kitchen like a little rabbit.
“Mom, can I have some fruit right now?” she asked, her voice eager.
Mom chuckled and stroked her daughter’s hair. “Of course, Lala. But remember, too much fruit at once isn’t always good for your tummy.”
Lala nodded quickly, but deep inside, she was already plotting. Her love for fruit was stronger than her patience. As soon as Mom sliced the papaya and placed it on the table, Lala devoured piece after piece. Then she reached for the grapes, popping them into her mouth like candy. After that, she grabbed a banana and nibbled at it until only the peel remained.
Mom raised an eyebrow. “Lala, slow down! Your stomach will be too full.”
But Lala only giggled. “I’m fine, Mom! Fruits are healthy, right? They make me strong!”
For a while, she felt proud of herself. She had managed to enjoy all the fruits she loved in one sitting. But after a few minutes, her little tummy began to feel strange. It made odd gurgling sounds. She pressed her hands against her stomach and frowned.
“Uh-oh,” Lala whispered.
Her belly felt rounder and tighter. Soon she was burping softly, which made her cheeks turn red. She curled up on the sofa, trying to hold in her discomfort.
Mom noticed right away. “Lala, are you okay?”
Lala nodded weakly, though her expression told another story. Her belly was bloated, and she felt as if a balloon was trapped inside. She tried standing up, then sitting down, but nothing seemed to help.
“Mom,” she finally confessed, “I think I ate too much fruit.”
Mom gave a gentle sigh but didn’t scold her. Instead, she sat beside Lala and rubbed her tummy in slow, soothing circles. “See? This is what I warned you about. Too much fruit at once can cause bloating. Even healthy food needs balance.”
Lala’s eyes widened. “But I thought healthy food means I can eat as much as I want!”
“That’s a common mistake,” Mom explained kindly. “Fruits are full of vitamins and fiber, which are very good for you. But when you eat too many, your stomach gets overloaded. Some fruits even have natural sugars that make your tummy gassy.”
Lala pouted. “So I can’t eat lots of fruit anymore?”
Mom smiled. “Not exactly. You just need to eat smaller amounts at the right times. For example, enjoy a banana in the morning, a slice of papaya in the afternoon, and some grapes after dinner. That way your body digests them properly, and you won’t feel bloated.”
Lala thought about it. She realized Mom was right—her love for fruit had made her greedy. Instead of enjoying them slowly throughout the day, she had rushed through them all at once.
Still, her tummy continued to feel tight. She groaned, lying on her back. “Mom, what can I do now? It feels like a watermelon is inside me.”
Mom chuckled softly. “First, you need to rest. Let your tummy work. Second, drink some warm water to help digestion. And third, remember to move around gently. A short walk can help the gas move out.”
At the mention of gas, Lala’s cheeks turned even redder. She whispered shyly, “Does that mean I might… fart?”
Mom laughed warmly. “Yes, and that’s completely normal. Don’t be embarrassed. It’s just your body’s way of releasing the extra air.”
Later, Mom poured Lala a cup of warm water. After sipping it slowly, Lala stood up and took a few steps around the living room. Her bloated tummy still felt uncomfortable, but little by little, the pressure lessened. She even giggled when a small burp escaped.
“See? That’s better,” Mom said encouragingly.
By the evening, Lala felt much lighter. She promised Mom she had learned her lesson. “From now on, I’ll eat fruit one by one, not all at once,” she said, raising her hand as if taking an oath.
The next day, Mom decided to teach Lala about balance in a fun way. She brought out a colorful plate divided into sections. One part had fruits, another part had vegetables, and another had grains.
“Look, Lala,” Mom explained, “a healthy meal is like a rainbow. Every color and type of food has its own role. Fruits are wonderful, but they are just one part of the rainbow. If you eat only one color, you’ll miss the beauty of the whole picture.”
Lala loved this idea. She imagined herself eating like a rainbow collector. Every time she chose food, she thought about different colors: orange carrots, green cucumbers, red apples, yellow corn, and purple grapes.
Her tummy was happier too. No more bloating or strange gurgling sounds. Instead, she felt energetic and cheerful. She could run, play, and laugh without holding her belly in discomfort.
Still, there were moments when temptation struck. One afternoon, she saw a huge plate of watermelon slices sitting on the table. The juicy red fruit seemed to call her name. For a moment, she wanted to eat the whole plate. But then she remembered her promise.
She picked up just one slice and ate it slowly, savoring every bite. When she finished, she smiled proudly. “Mom, see? I didn’t eat too much this time!”
Mom clapped her hands happily. “Good job, Lala! Now you’ve learned the secret—enjoy, but don’t overdo it.”
Over the weeks, Lala became more mindful of her eating. She even taught her friends at school about it. When one of her classmates complained of a stomachache after eating too many lychees, Lala shared her own story.
“Too much fruit can make you bloated,” she explained wisely. “It’s better to share and eat slowly.”
Her friends were impressed, and together they started bringing mixed snacks for lunch—some fruit, some nuts, and even small sandwiches. They called it their “rainbow lunch club.”
Lala felt proud that her little mistake had turned into a valuable lesson for everyone. She realized that loving fruit wasn’t wrong—it just needed balance, patience, and care.
Sometimes at night, she would pat her tummy gently and whisper, “Don’t worry, I’ll take care of you.” Then she would dream about beautiful gardens filled with all kinds of colorful fruits, each waiting to be enjoyed at just the right time.
And so, Lala continued to grow strong and healthy—not only because she loved fruit, but because she learned how to respect her body too.
