“I can’t believe you’d ask me to do that! I can’t come every day to water your plants! If you gave me the house, then I would!” Daniel overheard someone yelling as he stopped his bike in front of a quaint house with a beautiful garden. He knew an elderly woman, Mrs. Carrino, lived there, but he had never spoken with her and had no idea who was shouting.
Just then, he saw a man storm out of the house, still yelling, while the older woman followed him. “Arnold, I asked for your help, and all you’re talking about is inheriting the house! Do you want me gone so you can have it?” she exclaimed.
As Daniel stood frozen in place, the argument continued. Then he heard metal crashing, startling him. “You’re being dramatic, Mom. This house will be mine anyway. I can’t believe you’re giving me grief when I came here to help you pack!” Arnold fumed, storming to his car and driving off, leaving his mother standing in frustration.
Finally noticing Daniel, she asked, “Oh, who are you? Do I know you?”
“I’m Daniel, from two houses down. I was riding by, heard the commotion, and wanted to check if you were alright,” he explained, concerned.
“Ah, yes! I recognize you now. Don’t worry, it’s just my son being difficult,” she replied, rolling her eyes.
“Why was he upset?” Daniel asked.
Mrs. Carrino sighed. “I’m moving to a retirement home and needed help packing. But he only came to ask for the house, saying he’d live here. I know he just wants to sell it, though. This home means a lot to me, and I won’t give it up while I’m still here. He got annoyed when I asked him to water my plants,” she explained.
Daniel shrugged. “I can water them if you want.”
“Really? I can’t pay you, dear,” she said apologetically.
“That’s okay,” Daniel assured her. “I live so close, it’s no problem.”
A few days later, Mrs. Carrino moved, and Daniel kept his promise, regularly tending to her plants. He found he loved gardening and would even visit her to ask about new plants to add. “Keep an eye on the soil, you never know what you’ll find!” she joked mysteriously.
As he developed a love for gardening, Daniel dreamed of starting his own business to help ease his family’s financial troubles. One day, while planting azaleas, he dug in a spot where he heard metal clink, uncovering a mason jar with a note inside.
“Dear Daniel, thank you for your help. This house is now yours! Go inside to find the paperwork. You and your family can move in whenever you’re ready!”
In disbelief, Daniel rushed inside, using the key she had left him, and found the house title with his name on it. He called Mrs. Carrino, who confirmed everything. “You’ll just need to sign the papers to make it official. I wanted you to find the note first!” she told him.
Daniel’s mother was overwhelmed; this gift would end their struggles with rent. The family visited Mrs. Carrino often, treating her like a grandmother.
During the move, Daniel found another note in her room, identical to his but addressed to “Arnold.” She had originally planned to give the house to her son if he’d cared for her plants, but after his outburst, she chose Daniel instead. It was a lesson in kindness he would always remember.
