Bibi loved spending time at her grandmother’s house. Grandma’s home was a cozy little cottage with a big vegetable garden in the backyard. Every time Bibi visited, she would run straight to the garden, excited to see what was growing. She loved helping Grandma with her plants, especially when it was time to harvest something delicious.
One bright morning, Grandma greeted Bibi with a big smile. “Good morning, my little sunshine! Today, we’re going to harvest the beans. Would you like to help me?”
Bibi’s eyes lit up. “Yes, Grandma! I love picking beans!”
Grandma handed Bibi a small wicker basket. “Come along, dear. The beans are ready, and we’ll cook something tasty with them later.”
Bibi followed Grandma to the garden. Rows of tall, green bean plants stretched toward the sky, their vines twisting and curling around wooden stakes. The plants were covered in bright green leaves, and underneath them hung plump beans, ready to be picked.
“Look at all these beans!” Bibi exclaimed, reaching for the nearest plant.
Grandma chuckled. “Yes, they’ve grown beautifully. But remember, be gentle when you pick them. Hold the vine with one hand and pull the bean with the other, so you don’t hurt the plant.”
Bibi nodded and carefully plucked a bean pod from the vine. It felt firm and smooth in her hand. She placed it in her basket and reached for another. Soon, she found a rhythm, gently picking the beans and dropping them into her basket one by one.
As they worked, Bibi asked, “Grandma, how do beans grow?”
Grandma smiled, pleased with Bibi’s curiosity. “Well, my dear, it all starts with a tiny bean seed. We plant it in the soil, give it water and sunshine, and after a few weeks, it starts to grow into a plant. The vines climb up for support, and soon, little flowers bloom. After the flowers fade, the beans begin to grow.”
Bibi’s mouth formed a little “o” of wonder. “That’s amazing! Nature is like magic.”
Grandma nodded. “Yes, it is. That’s why we must take care of the earth. When we grow our own food, we appreciate it more.”
After filling their baskets with fresh beans, Grandma and Bibi carried them back to the house. They set the baskets on the kitchen table, and Grandma began sorting through them. “Now, we need to wash and trim the beans before we cook them.”
Bibi eagerly washed the beans under the cool water, watching the dirt rinse away. Grandma showed her how to snap off the ends of each bean. “Like this, Bibi. Just break off the tip, and it’s ready to cook.”
Bibi copied her, snapping off the ends and giggling at the little popping sound they made. “It’s like the beans are talking to us, Grandma!”
Grandma laughed. “Maybe they’re saying ‘Thank you for picking us!’”
Once the beans were prepared, Grandma took out a big pot. “Now, let’s cook them. We’ll make a delicious bean stew, just the way my grandmother taught me.”
Bibi watched as Grandma heated some oil in the pot. She added chopped onions and garlic, and soon, a wonderful aroma filled the kitchen. Then, she poured in the fresh beans, stirring them with a wooden spoon.
“Bibi, would you like to add the tomatoes?” Grandma asked.
Bibi nodded eagerly and carefully poured in the diced tomatoes. Grandma added a pinch of salt and some herbs from the garden. “Now, we let it simmer until the beans are tender.”
As they waited, Bibi’s stomach rumbled. “I can’t wait to eat, Grandma! It smells so good.”
Grandma smiled and set the table. “Good things take time, my dear. But the wait will be worth it.”
Finally, the stew was ready. Grandma scooped steaming portions into bowls and placed them on the table. Bibi took her first bite and closed her eyes in delight. “Mmm! This is the best bean stew ever!”
Grandma beamed. “That’s because we made it with love.”
As they ate, Bibi felt a deep sense of happiness. She had helped grow, harvest, and cook the food on her plate. It made the meal taste even more special.
That evening, as Bibi hugged Grandma goodbye, she whispered, “I can’t wait to help you in the garden again!”
Grandma kissed her forehead. “You are always welcome, my little gardener.”
And with that, Bibi walked away, already dreaming of her next adventure in Grandma’s garden, where every seed held a story, and every harvest brought joy.
