Tillo and the Garden Helpers (中文)

One sunny Saturday morning, Tillo the Story Soar went on an adventure with Toby the Tortoise, Hoppy the Hare, and Pip the Mouse. They were visiting Manor House Gardens in Leigh, Lewisham. Let's go to Pistachios in the Park, said Tillo, his golden star sparkling on his left cheek. But as they approached the café, they heard something. Scritch, scratch, rustle, rustle, splash! Inside the café was a large planting area filled with flowers and leafy plants. Volunteers were busy gardening. Some wore gardening gloves, some carried pots containing young plants, others carefully watered the soil. Are they hunting for treasure? whispered Pip. Perhaps they're planting carrots, said Hoppy. One of the gardeners smiled. We're the friends of Manor House Gardens. On the first Saturday of the month, we come together to help look after the garden. Tillo looked across at the volunteers bending down, digging small holes in the soil and planting flowers. Could we help, too? Of course! There's a little job for everyone. A gardener showed them where to stand on the path and how to help without stepping on the plants. Toby carried a small pot containing a young flowering plant, slowly and steadily. Hoppy helped collect fallen leaves from the ground. Tillo picked up a small watering can, and Pip looked closely at the soil. Suddenly, Hoppy spotted a clear patch of soil between two plants. I can jump over that! Wait! squeaked Pip. Hoppy stopped. A little worm was wriggling across the soil. It's someone's path already, said Pip. The gardener crouched beside them. Good spotting! Flowers help keep our soil healthy. Let's give this one room. They watch the worm disappear into the earth. Even the garden has little helpers, said Toby. Soon, it was time to plant a young flower. Toby brought the pot. Hoppy helped the gardener dig a small hole in the soil. The gardener gently removed the plant from its pot, placed its roots in the hole, and pressed the soil around them. Tillo carefully watered the soil around the plant. Pip stood on the path beside it. It's taller than me already. Everyone giggled. Then, Tillo noticed a young plant with drooping leaves. Does this one need help? The gardener checked the soil. Yes, it could use a little water. Tillo tipped his watering can carefully. Splash, sprinkle, splash. Will it grow big straight away? asked Hoppy. Growing takes time, said the gardener. We give it what it needs and keep caring for it, Toby nodded. I like things that take their time. When the morning's work was finished, the friends stood together on the path and admired the garden. The plants had been watered. Fallen leaves had been collected. The new flowering plant stood upright in the soil. A bee buzzed past and settled on a blossom. Our first visitor, whispered Tillo. Just then, Don and Lynn, who ran pistachios in the park, came over to see the helpers. What a lovely job you've all done, said Lynn. Come and wash those gardening paws, said Don. We've got a little treat for each of you. After washing their hands and paws, Tillo, Toby, Hoppy, and Pip each received a delicious Marshfield Farm ice cream. Pip held his little cup with both paws. This is my kind of treasure, Lynn smiled. This ice cream is made at Marshfield Farm, near Chippenham, using fresh milk from their own cows. Cows help make ice cream, asked Hoppy. Yes, said Don, and the farmers grow most of the cows' food on their farm. Tillo looked from his ice cream to the flowers growing outside the cafe. The gardeners care for the plants, and the farmers care for the cows. And we helped care for the worm, squeaked Pip. They sat together enjoying their ice creams while the volunteers rested nearby. What was your favorite part, asked Toby. Finding the worm, said Pip. Planting our flower, said Hoppy. Watering the plants, said Tillo. Toby smiled. Mine was doing it together. Before they left, Tillo waved to the gardeners. Thank you for letting us help. Come back and see how the plants grow, they replied.