It was a sunny and peaceful morning in the countryside. Birds chirped gently outside the window as the first rays of sunlight touched the sleepy leaves. Inside the cozy little house nestled near a lotus pond, Thuy was already up and bustling about. Today was a special day—she wanted to decorate the house with fresh lotus flowers. She believed lotus flowers, with their gentle fragrance and elegant petals, brought peace and purity into any space.
As Thuy stepped out with a large woven basket, she called softly, “Lala, are you awake? Come help me!”
From the nearby hammock under the tamarind tree, Lala stirred. Her soft fur gleamed in the sunlight. Lala, the curious and clever little monkey, immediately opened her eyes and perked up. She loved helping Thuy, especially when it meant spending time outdoors and trying something new.
Lala jumped down nimbly and ran to Thuy, her eyes wide with excitement. “Ee ee!” she squeaked, pointing at the basket.
“Yes, we’re going to pick lotus flowers,” Thuy said, laughing. “But you must be gentle. Lotus flowers are very delicate.”
Hand in hand—or rather, hand in paw—they walked down to the lotus pond. The air was cool and fresh, carrying the scent of wet earth and blooming flowers. The pond shimmered under the morning sun, dotted with graceful lotus blossoms in shades of pink and white. The scene was like a painting come to life.
Thuy rolled up her sleeves and carefully stepped onto a small wooden boat. Lala followed, balancing herself with ease. She looked around in awe, reaching out to touch the large, round lotus leaves floating around them.
With gentle hands, Thuy began picking the ripest, freshest lotus blossoms. She taught Lala how to choose them—look for full petals, a fresh scent, and strong stems. Lala watched closely and soon tried her own hand. She leaned forward, extended her little arm, and gently twisted a pink lotus from its stem. To her delight, it came off perfectly!
“Good job, Lala!” Thuy clapped. Lala beamed with pride and placed the flower carefully in the basket.
For the next hour, the two worked together. The basket slowly filled with beautiful lotus flowers—some fully bloomed, others still in buds. Lala even found a lotus seed pod and examined it with curiosity, shaking it to hear the seeds rattle inside.
Once they had gathered enough, they headed back to the house. Thuy laid out all the flowers on a large mat in the living room. The scent of the lotus blooms filled the air, creating a calming atmosphere.
“Now, we decorate,” Thuy said.
She brought out several vases—tall ones, short ones, and even a few handmade clay pots. Lala helped carry them, one by one, placing them on the table, the shelves, and windowsills. Then the real artistry began.
Thuy showed Lala how to trim the stems and remove wilted leaves. She explained how to combine flowers by color and size to make each arrangement elegant. Lala listened attentively and imitated Thuy’s every move.
She took one of the clay pots, filled it with water, and carefully placed three lotus blooms inside—one pink, one white, and one soft purple. Then she added a large lotus leaf to one side, giving the arrangement a natural look. Thuy was amazed.
“You’re a natural florist, Lala!” she praised.
Lala clapped her tiny hands happily and began working on another vase. Her arrangements, though playful, had a unique charm. One had just a single lotus with two leaves curling around it like a cradle. Another was a mix of short-stemmed flowers clustered together in a wide bowl.
As the house slowly transformed, each corner blooming with lotus grace, a peaceful mood settled over them. The living room looked like a temple garden. The hallway had subtle floral accents. Even the kitchen had a little pot of lotus sitting near the window.
Thuy stepped back and admired their work. “Our home looks so peaceful now, doesn’t it?” she said.
Lala nodded, then pointed to a corner near the entrance. It looked a little plain. Without needing to ask, she picked up the last few blooms and crafted a final, simple arrangement to welcome guests at the door.
“That’s perfect,” Thuy said, hugging her. “You have such a good eye for beauty.”
To celebrate their hard work, Thuy brewed some lotus tea. She placed a few dried lotus petals into a teapot and let the aroma fill the room. The two sat together on a bamboo mat, sipping the floral tea while enjoying the calm beauty they had created.
Later in the day, a few neighbors came by. They were surprised and impressed by the transformation.
“Wow, your house looks like a spa!” one of them said.
“These arrangements are amazing. Did you do them yourself?”
Thuy smiled and pointed at Lala. “It was a team effort. Lala did most of the work!”
Lala gave a proud little bow, making everyone laugh.
That evening, as the sky turned orange and pink, Thuy lit a few candles and placed them near the lotus arrangements. The soft light made the petals glow, turning the house into a peaceful haven.
Before bed, Thuy gave Lala a special little crown made from lotus petals and leaves.
“For my little flower artist,” she said.
Lala wore it proudly and curled up next to Thuy, her heart full and her spirit calm. She had discovered not only a new skill but also the quiet joy of creating beauty with someone she loved.
