Agustina’s Garden

Agustina had always seen her yard as simply “big.” An expanse of green, bordered by a wooden fence, it felt more like a quiet, empty canvas than a vibrant space. And for Agustina, who often found herself alone in her large house, the yard only amplified a subtle ache of loneliness.

Then, one warm spring morning, as she knelt to pull a stubborn weed, she noticed it. A tiny ant, marching with determined purpose across a pebble. A moment later, a fuzzy bumblebee buzzed lazily past her ear, disappearing into a half-opened rosebud. A grasshopper sprang from the dewy blades of grass nearby, landing with a soft thwip a foot away.

It was a revelation. Her yard wasn’t empty at all! It was teeming with life, a bustling metropolis she hadn’t even noticed. There wasn’t just a bee or an ant; there were hundreds, thousands, an enormous, intricate world unfolding right beneath her nose.

A new idea sparked in Agustina’s mind. Instead of just existing alongside these creatures, what if she actively welcomed them? What if she transformed her big, lonely yard into a haven for every single one of them? They were already her neighbours; why not make them her friends?

With a newfound purpose that chased away her usual solitude, Agustina began her grand project. She envisioned her garden as a series of miniature sanctuaries, each custom-designed for its unique inhabitants.

First, for the busy, buzzing bees and the diligent honeybees, she dedicated a sprawling section to fragrant roses. She chose varieties with open blooms and rich colours, knowing their nectar would be irresistible. Soon, the air around this rose sanctuary hummed with life, a constant, joyful symphony.

Next, she turned her attention to the often-misunderstood spiders. Knowing they loved places to weave their intricate homes, she planted climbing honeysuckle along a trellis and a forgotten wall. Its sweet scent quickly attracted not only the spiders but also a host of tiny insects for them to catch, turning the corner into a delicate, shimmering network of webs.

For the grasshoppers, with their powerful legs and love for open spaces, she designated a large swathe of her lawn specifically for them. She let the grass grow a little taller here, thicker and lusher, providing perfect cover and endless blades to munch on. The rhythmic chirping from this section became the garden’s evening lullaby.

Even the humble ants got their due. In a quiet, shaded corner, near a sun-warmed stone, Agustina carefully cultivated a patch of undisturbed earth. She watched as tiny trails formed, leading to bustling underground cities, a testament to the quiet industry thriving there.

And for the fluttery, darting beauties – the dragonflies, the vibrant butterflies, and the ever-present honeybees – Agustina ensured that flowers were abundant everywhere else. She planted a riot of colours and shapes: bright coneflowers, delicate cosmos, towering sunflowers, and fragrant lavender. She added a shallow bird bath for the birds, and small, flat stones for the dragonflies to bask on, their iridescent wings catching the sun.

Her yard transformed. It was no longer just big; it was magnificent. Every day, Agustina would wander through her carefully curated havens, a quiet smile on her face. She learned to recognize the distinct buzz of a hummingbird, the delicate flutter of a monarch, the swift dart of a dragonfly. She saw nests being built, cocoons forming, and tiny battles unfolding in the grass.

Agustina no longer felt alone. Her big, beautiful yard was now a bustling, vibrant community, and she was its proud, benevolent guardian. With so many friends – buzzing, chirping, fluttering, and crawling – Agustina’s world was infinitely richer, full of life, purpose, and the gentle hum of belonging.