sunlight poured through her window. Today was special. She had been waiting for this day for weeks. The guavas in the backyard were finally ripe, and she was eager to harvest them. More than anything, she wanted to surprise her dad with a fresh, delicious treat.
Her father, a hardworking man, often returned home tired from his job at the factory. He loved guavas, and Bibi remembered how he always smiled when eating one. The thought of sharing this small joy with him made her heart swell with excitement.
Bibi quickly got ready and dashed outside with a small wicker basket. The guava tree stood tall and proud in their yard, its branches heavy with plump, greenish-yellow fruit. The sweet scent of ripe guavas filled the air, making Bibi’s mouth water.
She stood on her toes and reached for the nearest guava, but it was just out of her grasp. “Hmm… I need something taller,” she muttered to herself. Bibi ran to the storage shed and pulled out a small wooden stool. She carefully placed it under the tree and climbed on top.
One by one, she picked the juiciest, ripest guavas and placed them gently into her basket. Some were smooth, while others had a few rough patches, but Bibi knew they were all perfect inside. She worked carefully, making sure not to drop any.
Suddenly, she heard a rustling sound. Bibi paused and looked around. “Who’s there?” she called. A pair of bright eyes peered at her from the bushes. It was Coco, the neighbor’s playful little dog.
“Coco! You scared me,” Bibi giggled, watching as the fluffy pup wagged its tail happily. She reached down and gave him a gentle pat. “Do you like guavas too?”
Coco barked in response, as if to say yes. Bibi laughed and continued her work. After filling her basket to the brim, she carefully climbed down from the stool, proud of her harvest.
She rushed back inside and placed the guavas in a bowl on the kitchen table. Now, she needed to prepare them in a special way. Bibi remembered how her mother used to serve guavas—cut into neat slices with a sprinkle of salt and chili powder. It made the fruit taste even better!
Bibi grabbed a knife and carefully sliced the guavas into thin pieces. She arranged them on a plate, making a beautiful pattern. Then, she took a small pinch of salt and chili powder and sprinkled it evenly over the fruit. The aroma was mouthwatering.
As she worked, she heard the sound of a motorbike approaching. Her heart leaped—Dad was home!
She quickly set the plate on the table and ran to the door. Her father stepped inside, looking tired but smiling at the sight of his excited daughter.
“Dad! I have a surprise for you!” Bibi exclaimed, grabbing his hand and leading him to the kitchen.
Her father’s eyes widened as he saw the beautifully arranged guavas on the plate. “Wow, Bibi! Did you do all this yourself?” he asked.
Bibi nodded eagerly. “I picked them fresh from our tree! I know you love guavas, so I wanted to make something special for you.”
Her father sat down and picked up a slice, taking a bite. His face lit up with delight. “Mmm! This is delicious, sweetheart. You did an amazing job.”
Bibi beamed with pride. Seeing her father enjoy the guavas made all her effort worthwhile.
They sat together, savoring the sweet and tangy fruit, laughing and talking about their day. Bibi told her dad about Coco’s surprise visit and how she carefully picked each guava. Her father listened intently, his heart full of warmth.
After finishing the guavas, her dad gave her a tight hug. “Thank you, Bibi. This is the best welcome home surprise ever.”
Bibi hugged him back, feeling happy and loved. She realized that the joy of sharing and making someone smile was even sweeter than the guavas themselves.
From that day on, harvesting guavas became their special tradition—a little moment of love and togetherness that they cherished year after year.
