Mia pressed a tiny seed into warm soil and patted it flat. Each morning she watered it and waited.
She traced the rim of the empty pot with her finger while looking out at the quiet street.
On the fifth morning the neighbor's cat hopped onto the windowsill and sniffed the soil.
Mia gasped and nearly tipped the pot as the cat walked away leaving muddy paw prints.
The next day a small green shoot pushed through the dirt. Mia bounced on her toes.
She watched the shoot stretch toward the window like a tiny arm reaching for the sun.
By the end of the week a round green bud sat at the top of the stem.
At dawn the bud split open with a soft pop and a brilliant pink flower glowed in the first light.
Mrs. Chen dropped her watering can with a clatter from next door. Mr. Park pointed and called to his wife.
The next morning Mia pulled back her curtain and saw color everywhere — the whole street had become a garden.
