RL5 Author's Choices "The Plant"

Derek found himself in his grandma's backyard, sentenced to a week of gardening as punishment. The thought of spending his Saturdays knee-deep in dirt made him shiver. His grandma, Nana Marna, had rough hands and sharp eyes, instructing Derek to prepare the soil for planting tomatoes. As they worked, Derek felt uneasy, sensing an unusual stillness in the garden.

​Read the story and answer questions about the author's choices.

While digging, Derek accidentally struck something hard with his shovel. To his surprise, he uncovered a small, twisted plant with purple leaves and shiny flowers that looked peculiar. Curiosity got the better of him, and he showed the mysterious plant to his grandma. Nana Marna stared at it for a moment before advising Derek not to disturb it too much.

However, Derek couldn't resist his curiosity. When Nana Marna wasn't looking, he dug around the plant and discovered roots that seemed to possess a strange energy. Wondering what it could be, Derek whispered to his grandma, who wore a mix of worry and nostalgia on her face. She suggested it might be something rare and promised to keep an eye on it.

As Derek examined the plant, memories flooded Nana Marna's mind. She recalled a summer from her own youth when she stumbled upon a similar mysterious plant in the woods near her childhood home. Intrigued by its twisted leaves and glowing flowers, she approached it cautiously, feeling both fascinated and slightly scared by its power.

Nana Marna's grandmother, a wise woman who knew much about nature, joined her in studying the plant. She revealed that it was a plant spoken of in secret, believed to hold the knowledge of the earth and stars. Nana Marna spent days observing the plant, noting how it grew and moved under the moonlight. However, the plant vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving behind a sense of wonder and a warning from her grandmother: some things are better left alone, as not everything in the universe can be understood.

Now, as Derek gazed at the same captivating plant that had fascinated Nana Marna years ago, she hoped her grandson would learn from her past. She cautioned, "Some mysteries should remain unsolved."