Pedro was very exited that it was such a pretty day. He liked to grow plants, all sort of plants — flowers, vegetables, and even trees.

He had bought some seeds but did not plant them yet because he wanted to find a very nice place for them to start growing.

He could hardly wait to get started when he saw it was going to be a nice day. As soon as he finished his breakfast, he ran to a window to look outside. Pedro opened the window and looked out of his cottage. He saw his fence, woodpile, and shed. As he kept looking, he saw a tall tree.

“That tree! Yes, that tree! That shall be a wonderful place to hang my plants,” he said out loud.

Suddenly he heard a deep, low voice that said, “No!”

“Huh? Who said that?” asked Pedro.

“I did,” said Seymour the giraffe who hurried over to Pedro’s window.

“Please don’t hang your plants in that tree.”

Surprised, Pedro asked why, and said, “Surely my hanging pots will not hurt the tree. It is a big sturdy tree.”

“Yes it is,” agreed Seymour, “but believe me, it is not a good place for your plants.”

“Why?”

“There is too much shade,” explained Seymour. “There will not be enough sunlight.”

“Really?”

“Yes. I know much about trees. When it gets warmer, leaves will grow on the tree and block the rays from the sun,” Seymour said.

Pedro knew that sunlight was very important for most living things, especially plants. Now, he was just a little worried. That tree seemed like the perfect place.

“I wonder where I can put my plants,” he said.

Seymour answered, “I will help you find a place, a place where there is plenty of sunlight.”

“Oh! Thank you!” said Pedro. “I will go and plant my seeds now.”

Pedro went to his table where there was a hanging pot. He opened a pack of seeds and carefully planted them.

He thanked God that his friend, Seymour, had told him there would not be enough light for the plants if they were hung in the tree. Then Pedro had to think of how each one of us needs the warmth of God’s presence within us to grow spiritually. That made him smile.

Pedro knew it would take time for his plants to grow. Then he smiled again, because that reminded him it takes time for everyone to grow.

Just then, there was a knock on the door. When Pedro opened the door, Seymour was right there.

“Pedro, I have found a good spot for your plants.”

“Where?”

“Ha, ha! Right here at your door.”

“At my door? I will not be able to get out.”

“Well, not right at you door, but a little bit away from it at the end of your porch roof,” Seymour explained.

Pedro saw that Seymour was right. There was a lot of sunlight.

“Thank you Seymour. I have just planted the seeds. I will place the hanging pot now.”

Seymour said, “I’ll help you.”

They both carefully lifted the hanging pot and put it at the end of the porch roof.

“Yes, you are so right Seymour. This is a great spot and much better than the tree. Darkness is not good for life.”

“That’s right,” said Seymour.

Pedro appreciated what Seymour did for him so much that he started telling his neighbors how kind and helpful Seymour was. That made it even a brighter day at Ponderings Pond.