The Curry Plant Kerry

The curry plant Kerry was quite happy in its little red pot. Last year only Lina got it bought from an exhibition held on Greenery Drive Week held in her school. She had planted it in her balcony with her father’s help.

Usually having no time in the mornings when she had to go to her school Lina used to water Kerry regularly every evening. Moving in and out of the house she also never missed a glance at Kerry. After all Kerry was the first plant that she had planted on her own accord. Noticing her inclination towards plant life her father had also promised her to get her bought her favorite rose shrub if she proved herself to be good caretaker to Kerry.

It being summer season it used to get very hot during day time but having absorbed sufficient water whole night Kerry faced no trouble bearing the days’ heat. Besides, being a plant Kerry couldn’t afford to keep off the sunlight. Like other plants Kerry was also dependent upon sunshine for its healthy growth.

On one such day, as Kerry was enjoying itself, it sensed some movement amongst its branches and leaves. “Aha! What a green plant it is!!! Umm its leaves are so yummy too”, an air borne insect who had just landed amongst Kerry’s leaves said chewing its lush green leaves. A painful Kerry had no choice but to keep quite. The helplessness of being a plant made Kerry shed tears in silence.

The heartless insects were feeding upon Kerry and were also finding themselves appropriate hiding places amongst its leaves and branches. Now until its trespassers came under its little care taker’s notice Kerry was completely at their mercy.

As Kerry was a plant with very dense growth, Lina could not take notice of any change in its appearance but on one holiday as Lina was engaged in her play near Kerry she happened to notice some change in Kerry’s leaves. Losing interest in her game she came up to take a close look.

“What has become of its leaves?” Lina took a running glance all over Kerry. On many leaves she noticed small worms which were similar to earthworm in appearance. They at once reminded Lina of what her father had told about plant pests. “oh they can cause Kerry great harm”, Lina said.

Impatient Lina brushed off each pest off its leaf with great urgency. Just then she noticed a rolled up leaf on a branch. “Now what is it that these insects have done”, Lina said trying to unfold the leaf.

She was still opening up the leaf when she noticed black colored tiny eye like dots. Thinking it to be one more infected leaf Lina tried plucking it off Kerry. But to her amazement the leaf had legs!!!!!! Lina immediately understood that it was no leaf but one of the matured pests only which had imitated the green color of leaves. Puzzled Lina let off the insect and decided to pluck the whole branch off its plant and in the flurry ended up plucking few more neighboring branches. Lina was surprised to notice that the insect had still not budged from its place.

Disappointed Lina went to her father. “Papa, Kerry has got infected with pests. They will eat up our Kerry”, Lina could no more keep herself contained. “Today only I will get the pesticide to be sprayed upon Kerry. We will not let it die away child”, papa consoled her.

Pesticide had been sprayed upon Kerry but Lina was still disheartened with the loss that Kerry had suffered but Kerry was satisfied with the care and concern that it had received from her.

“Lina perk up, your wish is going to come true soon”, mummy tried cheering up Lina who was not paying attention to mummy’s words. “Papa is going to get you your favorite rose plant….” Mummy had still not finished her sentence when Lina almost jumped up to be with her. “Really, mummy?” at which mummy couldn’t control her laughter. After all, Lina had made efforts to realize her wish.