Did you know that inside every plant lives a busy little family? It is true! There is a father, a mother, some children, and even a baby — and every single one of them has an important job to do. Let me tell you about the Plant Household.
Deep down in the dark, cool earth lives Father Root. He is brown and strong and very steady. All day long he holds the plant family firmly in the ground so the wind cannot blow them over. "Hold on tight!" he says. "I will keep us safe and steady, no matter what!"
Father Root has another very important job too. He drinks up water from the soil with his tiny root-hair fingers. Sip, sip, sip — all day long he finds water hiding between the bits of earth and sends it up to the rest of the family. Without Father Root, the whole family would be very thirsty indeed!
Standing tall above the ground is Mother Stem. She is strong and green, wearing a neat green apron. She holds the whole family up straight and proud. "Stand up tall, everyone!" she says with a warm smile. She is the busiest one of all, because she carries water and food up and down all day long.
Up and down, up and down — Mother Stem carries the water that Father Root drinks from the soil. She sends it all the way up to the Leaf children and Baby Flower at the very top. Then she carries the food that the leaves make back down to Father Root. She never gets tired and she never complains.
Now here come the Leaf children! They are bright and green and always waving hello. They spread out their wide green hands as far as they can reach. "Catch the sunshine! Catch the sunshine!" they call to each other, stretching and turning toward the warm golden light.
The Leaf children have a very clever trick. They use the sunshine and the air to make food for the whole family! They breathe in fresh air and mix it with sunlight, and — like magic — they cook up something delicious for everyone to eat. "Dinner is ready!" they giggle, rustling in the breeze.
And who is that sitting right on top, wearing the prettiest outfit of all? Why, it is Baby Flower! She started as a tiny green bud, all closed up tight. Everyone in the family waited and wondered what she would look like. "When will Baby Flower open?" asked the Leaf children. "Soon, soon!" said Mother Stem.
One sunny morning, Baby Flower opened her petals wide, and oh, how beautiful she was! Bright red petals spread out like a ruffled bonnet, and a golden crown sparkled in her center. She was the prettiest thing in the whole garden. "Look at me!" she laughed, turning her face to the warm sun.
Baby Flower had a special job of her own. She waved her bright red petals and called to the bees. "Come visit me!" she sang. A fuzzy bumblebee flew over and tickled her golden center with his tiny feet. "Thank you, little bee!" said Baby Flower. The bee carried her pollen away to help new plant families grow.
And so the whole Plant Household worked together, every single day. Father Root drank water and held on tight. Mother Stem carried everything up and down. The Leaf children caught sunshine and made food. And Baby Flower waved to the bees. Not one of them could do their job without the others helping.
Together, the Plant family grew strong and tall and beautiful. The next time you see a flower growing in a garden, remember — there is a whole busy family inside! A father holding tight, a mother standing strong, children catching sunshine, and a baby waving at the bees. Every part matters, just like in your family too.
