Harper Can’t Wait

Day after day, Harper and Hank watched as Farmer Ben planted seeds and watered his garden. Soon some green plants were beginning to pop up through the soil. Each day Harper asked the same question. “Are the carrots ready yet Hank?” And, each day Hank would answer, “not yet, you have to patient.” Harper did not like being patient. It was very frustrating waiting for something she wanted so badly. One morning, Harper woke up feeling like she just couldn’t wait any longer. She didn’t bother to ask Hank if he thought the carrots were ready yet. She quickly hopped out to the garden and went straight to the row where the carrots were planted. She noticed some fluffy green stems sticking out of the ground but could not see the carrot beneath the dirt. Surely it must be ready now, she thought. So, she grabbed ahold of the green stem and with a little effort, she managed to pull out the tiniest little wrinkled carrot she had ever seen. She was so disappointed. It was definitely not the big juicy carrot she had been dreaming about. Just then, she heard Hank behind her. Harper did not want to look at Hank because she was sure he would tell her she should have listened to him and not been so impatient. But he did not say that. He just looked at her with his kind, soft eyes and said, “Harper, we all have a hard time waiting for things we want. But, sometimes, the longer we wait, the sweeter it will be when we finally get what we have been waiting for.”