It was a bright and cheerful morning when Lala, a curious little girl with twinkling eyes and messy ponytails, ran to the kitchen to find something to snack on. Mom had just returned from the market and placed a big basket of fresh vegetables on the counter—shiny cucumbers, crisp lettuce, and plump red tomatoes.
Lala loved tomatoes. She had seen her mom slice them for salads, stir them into soups, and even crush them into sauce. To her, the round, red fruit was like candy from nature. Without waiting for permission, she picked one from the basket, gave it a quick rub against her shirt, and popped it straight into her mouth.
But something was wrong.
The tomato didn’t taste like the juicy, sweet ones she usually loved. Instead, it was soft, mushy, and had a sour, bitter flavor that made her face scrunch up. She chewed quickly, trying to swallow before Mom noticed. Unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong tomato—the one sitting at the bottom of the basket, already past its best and beginning to rot.
At first, Lala didn’t think much about it. She wiped her mouth, drank a little water, and ran off to play with her puppy, Bon. They played tag in the yard, chased butterflies, and tumbled around in the grass. But soon, Lala started to feel strange.
Her tummy made funny noises—grumble, gurgle, rumble. She pressed her little hands against her stomach.
“Bon,” she whispered to her puppy, “I think something is wrong inside me.”
Bon tilted his head, wagging his tail as if he understood.
Within minutes, the mild discomfort turned into a sharp stomach ache. Lala curled up on the grass, frowning and groaning. “Ouch… my tummy hurts!” she cried.
Mom to the Rescue
Hearing her daughter’s voice, Mom rushed outside. She saw Lala lying on the ground, clutching her belly.
“Lala! What happened?” Mom asked, kneeling beside her.
“I don’t know, Mommy… my stomach feels so bad,” Lala whimpered.
Mom gently helped her up and led her inside. She gave her some warm water and asked carefully, “Did you eat anything strange? Candy from under the bed? Something from the yard?”
Lala thought for a moment, then admitted in a small voice, “I ate a tomato from the basket.”
Mom’s eyes widened. She hurried to the kitchen and looked inside the vegetable basket. Most of the tomatoes were bright and red, but at the very bottom, there was one shriveled, dark, and smelly tomato. Mom sighed, realizing immediately what had happened.
“Oh, Lala,” Mom said gently, “you must have eaten the rotten one.”
The Lesson Begins
Lala frowned, confused. “Rotten? But it looked like a tomato. I thought it was fine.”
Mom smiled patiently. “Not everything that looks like food is safe to eat, sweetheart. When fruits and vegetables start to rot, tiny germs grow inside them. Those germs can make our stomachs hurt.”
Lala’s eyes grew wide. “Germs? Are they like little monsters?”
Mom chuckled. “Yes, in a way. You can’t see them with your eyes, but they can sneak inside your tummy if you’re not careful. That’s why I always check the vegetables before cooking. We have to make sure they are fresh, clean, and safe.”
Lala nodded slowly, her stomach still aching. She felt embarrassed for not asking before eating.
A Gentle Cure
To help her feel better, Mom prepared a simple home remedy. She boiled some ginger tea and added a bit of honey. The warm drink soothed Lala’s stomach a little. Then Mom let her lie down on the sofa with a soft pillow and Bon curled up beside her.
“Rest for a while,” Mom said, stroking her daughter’s forehead. “Your tummy needs time to fight off those little germ-monsters.”
Lala closed her eyes, listening to the comforting sound of her mom’s voice. Even though her stomach still hurt, she felt safe knowing Mom was nearby.
Bon’s Funny Distraction
As Lala rested, Bon decided to cheer her up. The playful puppy jumped up with his favorite toy—a squeaky ball—and dropped it on Lala’s lap.
“Not now, Bon,” Lala whispered weakly, but Bon insisted. He pawed at the ball until it squeaked loudly, making her giggle despite the pain.
“Okay, just one throw,” Lala said with a faint smile. She tossed the ball a little, and Bon ran after it like lightning, sliding across the floor in the funniest way. Lala laughed again, forgetting her tummy ache for a moment.
Mom smiled from the kitchen. She knew laughter was also good medicine.
A Talk About Food Safety
By the evening, Lala’s stomach began to feel better. She sat at the dining table with a small bowl of rice porridge that Mom had cooked—soft, warm, and easy to digest.
As she ate slowly, Mom sat down beside her. “Lala, do you understand why it’s important to check food before eating?”
“Yes, Mommy,” Lala said, nodding. “I should never grab food without asking first. I should look carefully, and if something smells bad or feels mushy, it might be rotten.”
“Exactly,” Mom said proudly. “And do you know another important rule?”
“What is it?” Lala asked curiously.
“Always wash fruits and vegetables before eating them. Even if they look fresh, dust and germs from outside can still hide on their skin.”
Lala’s eyes widened again. “Even the shiny ones?”
Mom chuckled. “Even the shiny ones.”
A New Responsibility
The next morning, Lala felt much better. Her stomach no longer hurt, and she was full of energy again. She wanted to show Mom that she had learned her lesson.
When Mom brought home new vegetables, Lala volunteered to help. She carefully washed each tomato, cucumber, and carrot under clean water, rubbing them gently. She even sniffed them one by one, making sure none smelled sour or strange.
“Look, Mommy! I’m the food inspector now!” Lala announced proudly.
Mom laughed and clapped her hands. “Yes, you are my little inspector! With your help, we’ll always have safe and healthy food.”
The Lesson Sticks
From that day on, Lala never ate anything straight from the basket again. She always asked Mom first, checked carefully, and washed fruits before taking a bite. Whenever she saw a rotten tomato or spoiled fruit, she quickly put it aside and said, “This one goes in the compost, not in our tummies!”
Even Bon seemed to understand. Whenever he sniffed something that didn’t smell right, he barked as if to warn Lala.
Though the stomach ache had been painful, Lala was secretly glad it had taught her such an important lesson. She realized that being curious was good—but being careful was even better.
Conclusion
Lala’s little mistake turned into a valuable lesson about food safety, germs, and listening to her mom’s guidance. She learned that not everything that looks edible is safe, and that a careful check can protect her from tummy troubles.
From then on, she became the proud “food inspector” of the family, making sure every vegetable and fruit on the table was fresh and safe. And while she still loved tomatoes dearly, she never forgot the day when one rotten tomato gave her a big stomach ache.
With Mom’s care and Bon’s cheerful company, Lala grew wiser, healthier, and even more grateful for the love that surrounded her every day.
