गमले में खिला फूल

Summary

Rādhā, a young girl, learns about a "Grow Flowers, Win Prizes" competition and decides to participate. She plants a gulmohar seed in a pot, hiding it in a corner and watering it secretly. When a small sprout appears, she is overjoyed, but the leaves soon turn yellow and sickly. Her elder sister, Rekhā, explains that the plant needs sunlight, not darkness. Rādhā moves the pot to a windowsill, and the plant becomes green and strong, though it grows crookedly, leaning toward the light. Rekhā then advises placing it outside in the courtyard. After four days, the plant thrives with new green leaves. With ten days left before the competition, Rādhā worries about flowers blooming in time. One evening, she finds the leaves nibbled; Rekhā sprinkles white powder, causing a caterpillar to fall off, saving the plant. A friendly neighbor gardener gives Rādhā a special powder to mix with water and spray on the plant, instructing her to wash her hands afterward. For a week, nothing happens, but then small green buds appear, soon turning pink. On competition day, the flowers are fully bloomed—light pink and abundant. Rādhā dresses up and carries her simple clay pot to the venue, where other participants have ornate containers. Her gulmohar flowers are the largest and most beautiful. The judges award her first prize, and the chairman announces that the flowers will be named "Rādhā" in her honor. Receiving the prize, Rādhā feels rewarded for her hard work, reflecting that the fruit of labor is always sweet.