Three months ago, as part of our Environmental Studies project, our teacher handed each of us a small terracotta pot, moist compost soil, and three tiny black marigold seeds. We gently pressed them into the soil and placed them on our classroom window sills.

Every morning, before assembly began, we would run to our pots with plastic cups of water. For four days, nothing happened. Some classmates thought their seeds were sleeping forever! But on the fifth morning, tiny green shoots broke through the soil, reaching toward the morning sun.

“Just like tiny seeds need soil, water, and sunlight to blossom into bright flowers, students need care, guidance, and curiosity to grow.”

Today, our window sills are full of bright golden marigolds. Caring for that little plant taught me that the best things in life take time, gentle attention, and daily love.