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The Gardener — A little damage, Page 4

By Suha · Published

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Transcript

Kai stands beside the east flower bed holding the spray bottle, ready to act. Before he sprays, his attention shifts. A close panel reveals a small ladybird resting on a damaged leaf near the aphids. In the final panel, Kai lowers the bottle slightly and looks at the insect with surprised curiosity.

Image description

Kai raises the spray bottle but stops when he notices a ladybird on the damaged plant.

About this chapter

Kai discovers a cluster of aphids feeding on one of the garden plants and immediately feels the old urge to eliminate the problem. Before he intervenes, he notices ladybirds and larvae already hunting among the damaged leaves. He waits. Over the following days the aphids diminish, new growth appears, and the plant remains healthy even though a few blemished leaves and a few pests remain. Kai realizes that a healthy system is not one with zero problems. Sometimes the things that solve a problem need the problem to exist first. Resilience is not perfection; it is the ability to absorb a little damage and keep living.