original stories · Ages 6-8

The Garden Gate Opened Only for Laughter

Two grumpy friends cannot enter a hidden garden until they stop trying to win their argument and start laughing at themselves.

The whole story

1. On a bright spring morning, Milo and Nell marched up the hill. Neither friend was smiling.

2. Behind the ivy, they found a tiny green gate. “I spotted it first,” said Milo. “I found it first,” said Nell.

3. They pulled the gate together. It did not budge. “I should go first,” said Milo. “I should go first,” said Nell.

4. Milo offered his finest apple. Nell offered her finest basket. The gate stayed shut, and their frowns grew wider.

5. They tried to out-bow each other. Milo bowed so low that his scarf fell into Nell’s basket. Nell bowed so grandly that one boot pointed at the sky.

6. Milo saw his scarf in the basket. Nell saw her boot waving at the clouds. They tried to look serious.

7. Milo laughed at his scarf. Nell laughed at her boot. Soon they were laughing at themselves, and their argument slipped away.

8. “I am sorry,” said Milo. “Me too,” said Nell. Then the little gate opened with a soft click.

9. They stepped through together and shared the apple. The garden gate opened only for laughter.

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