“Mum, you know what! We are having a planting day tomorrow in the school. It would be so much fun!” Brick exclaimed.

“Oh wow son, I am sure it would be fun,” mum replied.

“Yeah, we also have to present some interesting facts about the plant which we are planting and the best presentation will receive an award,” Brick added.

“This is amazing! So, have you decided what you are planting?” asked mum.

Brick replied, “I have no idea, but I was thinking of planting sunflowers as they are so beautiful. It is my favourite flower and I really want to see them bloom in the sun. Once when watching television, I saw them growing and fluttering in the sun, looking so pretty! And ever since I have wanted to plant them, but I really don’t know anything about them.”

“No problem my child, I would help you to learn about sunflowers and then we will go shopping for the supplies that you will need for tomorrow,” mum assured Brick, who became excited.

After going through many books and reading articles on internet, Brick and his mum gathered some interesting facts about sunflower. They were surprised to know that sunflowers come in many colours, such as red, yellow, brown, maroon or orange, and they are named sunflower because of their resemblance to the sun.

Brick was amazed to know that the flower head of the sunflower is heliotropic — it follows the sun by moving its head towards the sun throughout the day. The centre of the sunflower contains almost 2000 tiny flowers! It also has plenty of uses, like sunflower seeds are used in making sunflower oil and it is also used in manufacturing of paints and soaps. People like to eat roasted sunflower seeds as a snack, the leaves are eaten by many animals and the flower petals are used in making yellow dye.

They also got to know that sunflower seeds should be sown directly into the ground, because they have tap roots that grows several feet into the ground. They love the sun and therefore should be planted in sunny areas. Most interestingly, it only takes 80 to 120 days for a sunflower to grow completely.

“Wow! There are so many interesting facts about the sunflower, especially that the sunflower head follows the sun. That is so cool,” Brick said excitedly.

“I know right, but now it is time to go shopping for the supplies for planting. Go and get ready, meanwhile I will get my keys and purse,” mum responded.

They got sunflower seeds, fertiliser and some equipment for planting. Brick also got a chart paper, paints and colourful markers to prepare a poster for his presentation.

After returning home, Brick started making the poster for his presentation. He made an amazing sunflower sketch in the centre which he painted precisely and wrote its facts around it in dialogue bubbles.

When his father came home from work, Brick ran to him and told him about the activity at his school the next day, and all the preparations he had done for it. Then Brick showed his father the poster he had made.

“Wow, this looks incredible my son,” dad appreciated him.

“Dad, today I got to know so much about sunflowers. They are way more interesting than I thought they were. They can get pretty big, even bigger than me and they have tap roots. Moreover, they are called sunflowers because they look like the sun. I have never thought of it this way,” Brick elucidated with enthusiasm.

“Sure son, they are pretty interesting and you have done a good job learning more about them,” dad reacted.

“I will tell these facts to all my friends and I am sure they will find it very fascinating too,” Brick uttered.

The next day, Brick went to school, all excited for an amazing day, but when he reached the school, he realised that he had forgotten his poster at home.

Brick went to his teacher and explained what had happened. While stuttering in distress, Brick spoke, “Ma’am, I f-forgot my p-poster at home.”

“Brick, just relax and don’t panic! I am going to call your parents and ask them to deliver your poster to the school before the presentations start,” teacher consoled.

Thereafter, Brick and his friends went out to the garden and started sowing the seeds in the ground.

“It is so dirty, but it is fun,” Brick’s friend said cheerfully.

For a while during planting, Brick forgot about the poster, but later when the time for the presentations came closer, he got worried. Fortunately, his teacher gave him the poster which his father had earlier dropped off at school. Everything went smoothly and soon Brick had much to celebrate as he got the second prize for his presentation.

“Mum, look at this! I got the second prize!” Brick excitedly ran to his mother on getting home. “I had learned so much about the plants today. Do you know there is a plant that eats bugs? Luke had brought it today, it is called Venus flytrap. He also won the first prize. It was really amazing.”

Mum congratulated him on his accomplishment and they had a celebration dinner that evening.

Published in Dawn, Young World, June 4th, 2022