After school, Trisha usually did her homework while babysitting 8-year-old Siya.
'Champak Valley's Pollinator Garden Bloom Show .the heading of the brochure said.
"What is a pollinator garden?" asked Siya.
"A pollinator garden is a special kind of garden, in which flowering plants are grown to attract pollinating insects so that the garden grows faster," said Trisha.
She further explained, "Pollinators are insects and birds that feed on the nectar from the flowers. Since they go from flower to flower, they carry pollens or the seeds from one flower to another, making more flowers."
"I know butterflies sit on flowers and suck on the tiny juice packets inside the flowers," Siya exclaimed.
"Correct," said Trisha, "Bees, bumblebees, beetles, ladybugs, moths and hummingbirds are all pollinating insects. Pollen or the juice packets' are tiny grain-like things. They sometimes cause allergic reactions."
"Yes, our math teacher says she always gets an allergy from pollens, she coughs and sneezes a lot!" said Siya.
"Even I am allergic to this plant called Bandar-ki-Roti. Whenever I go to my grandmother's house in Jaipur, I get an allergic reaction from this plant."
"Bandar-ki-Roti," Siya laughed, "Is that a real name?"
"Yes, that is what we all call it. Its proper name is Chilbil tree. Or, the jungle cork tree. We kids used to snack on its yummy seeds. These seeds have wide wings," Trisha said.
"Anyway, time to get back to my homework," Trisha said while drawing a sunflower. She asked Siya to colour it while she finished her homework.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Promise Gone Awry
“Iam tired, I don’t want to study,” grumbled Sunaina. Her mother, Anjana, looked exasperated, but she said in a soothing tone, “There are only three tests left. We will go on a holiday to a place of your choice on the weekend after your tests, I promise!”
Year of the Swake
Min Yu was looking around her school campus, dizzy with excitement. She ran to the library, classroom, gym, music room, and the art room. But there was no sign of any decorations anywhere. Nothing at all! Deflated, she flopped down on a bench by the pine tree.
Two Detectives
One morning, Nikhil and Akhil's Dad returned from his walk in the park, unusually upset.
A Controversial Constitution
January 26 was approaching, and the residents of Champakvan were busy preparing to celebrate Republic Day. Everything was going sparklingly well, when a group of forest dwellers, led by Baddy jackal, began demanding a separate constitution for the forest.
Ba and Bapu
Mohandas Gandhi, whom people called ‘Mahatma’ and a few fondly called ‘Bapu’, my great grandfather, was a remarkable person.
The Tiranga Award
As soon as Vaili butterfly saw Toto ant riding his brand-new bicycle with the tricolour flag fluttering on it, she flew over and asked, “Toto, where are you headed with a tiranga on your bicycle?”
A Snowy Adventure
\"Hey, listen, quickly give me another blanket. It's freezing today,\" Meeku mouse said through his chattering teeth to his roommate, Cheeku rabbit.
Out of the Box
\"What is he doing here?\" Akshara nudged Tanusha while balancing herself in a half-squat stand or Aramandi' as their Bharatanatyam teacher Gayathri, called it.
GRANDPA'S LOUD SNORES
Misha and her younger sister Esha were visiting their grandma and grandpa for the winter.
Who is Messing with Mr. Chills?
Veer and his friends had been counting down the days to their winter trip.
