2. Rowena’s mother is sick, so she
must stay at the hospital for a few
weeks. Before leaving for the
hospital, she asks Rowena to take
care of her flowers for her. She
instruct her to water the flowers
every day and to pluck the weeds
growing around them or else they
will die. Rowena tells her mother
not to worry for she will take good
care of her plants.
3. At first, Rowena does what her mother
has asked of her. She brings her mother
fresh flowers from the garden to show
how well the flowers are growing. “Wow,
Rowena! My flowers look lovely. You
really take good care of them,” Rowena’s
mother says with delight.
However, after a few more days, Rowena
starts feeling bored doing the same thing
every single day. She even tells herself
that one day of not watering the flowers
will not do them any harm, but one day
becomes two days, then three, and so
on.
4. One Sunday morning, before leaving
for the hospital to visit her mother,
Rowena goes to the garden to pick
some flowers. She is shocked to see
that the flowers have wilted. She
starts panicking because if her mother
finds out, she will surely get angry
and her condition may get worse.
Rowena thinks of a way to cover up
her mistake. She goes to the flower
market to buy some flowers. This
way, her mother will not know about
the real condition of her flowers at
home.
5. Hello, Mother! How are you today?
I brought you fresh flowers from
your garden,” Rowena gleefully
says, handing the flowers to her
mother.
“These are lovely, Rowena! You
really take good care of my
flowers. You must know all the
kinds of flowers I have in the
garden, “ Rowena’s mother says,
smiling.
Of course, Mother! You have
roses, carnations, and
chrysanthemums, among others,”
Rowena nervously says.
6. “Yes, I do. But you know what I do
not have in my garden?” her mother
asks, looking serious.
“What, mother?” Rowena asks.
“Tulips. Just like this tulip that got
mixed in this bouquet of carnations,”
Rowena’s mother says as she
shows the single tulip in the bouquet
of carnations that Rowena got from
the market.
7. “Why did you have to lie,
Rowena? You could have just told
me the truth, so I could have done
something before it was too late.”
“I’m sorry, Mother. I was wrong for
not taking care of your plants. I
was also wrong for lying to you. I
just did not want to worry you and
make your condition worse. I’m
really sorry, “ Rowena says
between sobs.
8. “It’s alright, Rowena. Just help me rebuild my
garden, OK? I also want you to make a promise
that you will never use a lie to solve a problem.
You must also remember that telling the truth is
always the best way to go,” her mother says. Her
warm smile can now seen on her face.
“Yes, Mother. I promise, “ Rowena says, raising
her hand. after a few days, Rowena’s mother is
finally coming home form the hospital. As their car
pulls over the driveway, Rowena waits by the front
door with a bouquet of tulips in her arms. She
hands the flowers to her mother and says,
“Welcome home, Mother! Here are some tulips
that symbolize my promise to you.
9. I was telling the truth when I
agreed to help you rebuild your
garden.
“Thank you, Rowena. I feel
even better hearing that from
you. We’ll be rebuilding our
garden in no time,” Rowena’s
mother says as she gives her
big, warm hug.
