Lulu Bell and the Magical Garden

by Belinda Murrell

  ‘There’s nothing left,’ said Lulu.

  The area where the garden patch had been was now completely levelled. Bright yellow tape and a metal barricade blocked off the area. There was no sign of the broken pots or smashed plants. It was now just a muddy, drab corner of the playground. Lulu felt sad to see an empty space where the once-beautiful garden had been.

  ‘I hate it!’ cried Rosie. She looked miserable.

  ‘Me too,’ said Mia.

  ‘They’ve even taken away our stepping stones!’ wailed Rosie.

  There had been brick stepping stones in the garden. Rosie and her friends spent many lunchtimes hopping from step to step. It was much more fun than traditional hopscotch on a flat surface.

  ‘Don’t worry, Rosie,’ said Lulu. ‘Remember what Mrs Fisher said this morning? She wants us to think of some brilliant ideas for the new garden.’

  ‘I have a better idea,’ said Max. ‘It costs a lot to put in a garden. Why don’t we just put up basketball hoops instead? Then we could use them straightaway.’

  Max jumped up and mimed shooting a ball through a hoop.

  Rosie frowned. ‘But we have basketball hoops near the library.’

  ‘How about more handball courts?’ said Lauren.

  ‘But there’re already lots of handball courts for the big kids,’ said Mia. ‘We’d rather have a garden to play in. Plus it’s nice to look after the veggies and flowers and watch them grow.’

  As much as Lulu loved the garden, she could see that it was Rosie and Mia’s special place. Lulu didn’t like to see Rosie upset. She flicked one of her plaits over her shoulder. There must be a way to build a new garden – without waiting months and months, she thought. We need money. And we need lots of help to build it!

  ‘Maybe we could organise some fundraisers,’ said Lulu. ‘There were lots of parents at the assembly this morning. Lots of people care about the garden. I’m sure they would help. Then we could make a really special garden that everyone can enjoy.’

  ‘We could have a cake stall to raise money,’ said Molly, ‘like we did when we needed to buy new library books.’

  Several kids nodded.

  Rosie smiled. ‘With cupcakes and brownies,’ she said.

  ‘And chocolate fudge,’ said Max, rubbing his tummy.

  ‘Maybe we could ask people to donate plants for the garden, too,’ said Molly. ‘If everyone brought some, we’d have heaps.’

  ‘And we could help build the garden ourselves; that would save money,’ said Rosie. ‘I know Mum and Dad would help, as well.’

  Lulu felt hope bubble up inside her. Her mind was in a whirl with ideas.

  ‘We could start a club!’ said Lulu. ‘A save-the-garden club! We could think of some clever plans to raise money and fix the garden. We’ll have an even better garden in no time!’

  ‘That’s a great idea,’ said Mia.

  ‘But what could we call it?’ asked Daniel.

  Lulu thought about Millie’s enchanting garden shop, with its mermaid and dragon statues.

  Lulu looked up and grinned at her friends. ‘Why don’t we call it The Magical Garden Club? If we all work together, we can make our school garden magically appear!’

  Chapter 6

  Hatchlings

  Now that they had a plan, everyone felt happier. And on the way back to class, something else happened that cheered them up even more. In the hall outside the office, they saw the incubator. A warm bright light shone on the nest inside.

  Lulu and her friends crowded around. Lulu thought that the twelve brown eggs looked exactly like the eggs that Mum bought from the supermarket.

  ‘Can you hear that?’ asked Molly.

  Lulu listened carefully. There was a soft tapping noise.

  ‘Look! One of the eggs has a crack in it,’ said Daniel.

  Sure enough, Lulu saw that there was a thin crack in one of the eggs. The egg rolled and rocked. Then a tiny hole appeared in the shell. The chick had pecked it open from the inside!

  ‘It’s hatching!’ cried Lulu. ‘There’s a little chicken pecking to get out.’

  More children crowded around the incubator to watch the chick as it hatched. The hole gradually became bigger and bigger. Suddenly, they could see the tip of a little orange beak poking out.

  ‘Cheep, cheep, cheep,’ it chirped.

  The bell had gone for class but still the children watched. Over the next five minutes, the crack widened. Then the shell split and out popped a fluffy, damp wing. The chick cheeped again and gave another shake. The shell split wider. Out popped another yellow wing.

  The chick stayed still for a while, as if it was tired from all the hard work. Then, with a mighty effort, out popped its tiny head. The baby bird lay back, half in and half out of the broken shell. Beady black eyes looked up at Lulu.

  ‘Cheep, cheep,’ Lulu chirped to the chick.

  The hatchling rolled and bobbed like a roly-poly toy. It wriggled and wobbled on its scrawny legs but the half-eggshell was stuck to its bottom. The chick overbalanced and sprawled on its face.

  All the kids laughed at its antics.

  ‘It’s sooo adorable,’ said Lulu.

  ‘And tiny,’ added Molly.

  ‘It is very cute,’ said Mrs Fisher from behind them. The principal had arrived without anyone noticing. Her eyes twinkled as she smiled at the children. ‘But now you’ve seen the chick hatch, it’s time you all ran along to class.’

  ‘Oh, just a little while longer?’ begged Daniel.

  ‘You can come and check on them later,’ said Mrs Fisher. ‘We have two weeks to enjoy our hatchlings.’

  The kids reluctantly left the newborn chick and went to their classes. But all through class time, the only thing Lulu could think about was lunchtime, when she would get to see the chick again.

  When the bell went for lunch, Lulu and Molly raced to the incubator. Two more chicks had hatched, so now there were three. Two were dry and fluffy and yellow. They were butting and jostling each other in the corner. One was still damp, half in and half out of its shell. It rocked and swayed, struggling to break free.

  The three chicks chirped and peeped.

  ‘Wouldn’t it be great if my mum let me take some of the chicks home?’ said Lulu.

  ‘We wouldn’t be able to,’ said Molly. ‘We couldn’t possibly keep chickens in an apartment.’

  Molly loved animals, too. She had a kitten called Ebony that had been born in Lulu’s washing machine. Ebony’s mum was Lulu’s cat Pickles.

  ‘You could always visit them at our house,’ said Lulu.

  ‘That would be lovely. But it’s not the same as having your own pets,’ said Molly.

  Lulu smiled. ‘I think I must be the luckiest girl in the world,’ she said.

  Chapter 7

  Mo Munchtime

  After school, Lulu and Rosie helped Mum plant the new seedlings in the garden at home. As they dug holes in the soil with their trowels, they chatted about their days.

  Lulu told Mum about watching the chicks hatch.

  ‘They’re really cute,’ said Rosie.

  ‘They sound gorgeous,’ said Mum.

  ‘Mum, did you hear Mrs Fisher say that they’re looking for homes for the chicks when they’re older?’ asked Lulu. ‘Do you think we could bring them home?’

  Mum shook her head. ‘I don’t think so, honey bun. We already have ducks! Not to mention two dogs, two cats, a bunny and a wallaby. I think we have quite enough animals.’

  Lulu smiled at Mum. ‘I guess we don’t have to bring all of them home. Just one or two?’

  ‘Good try,’ said Mum. ‘But no!’

  ‘Well, maybe one of my friends will take some of the chicks home and I’ll get to play with them when I visit,’ said Lulu. ‘Lauren and Zac are going to ask their mums, too.’

  Mum raised her eyebrows. ‘I think we’ll just focus on planting the sweet corn for now.’

  At last it was done. The seedlings were planted in neat straight rows and Rosie’s
sunflower stood tall and proud right in the centre.

  After she cleaned her hands from the gardening, Lulu went next door to the vet hospital. Lulu and her family lived right behind the Shelly Beach Vet Hospital. The only thing that separated their home from the hospital was a thick green door.

  Mondays were always very busy because of all the animals that got up to mischief on the weekend. Lulu helped feed all the animals and give them fresh water. When she finished, she went to the reception area to see Kylie, the vet nurse. The waiting room was filled with people and animals.

  Lulu had just said hello to Kylie when the front door opened.

  In came Millie with Mo, the black labrador. Poor Mo looked very uncomfortable. He was panting and wheezing.

  ‘Hello, Millie,’ said Lulu. ‘Is something wrong with Mo?’

  Millie shook her head with exasperation. ‘He’s been eating my laundry again. This time he’s eaten the underpants!’

  Lulu giggled.

  ‘Oh dear,’ said Lulu. ‘You’re so silly, Mo.’

  Millie checked in with Kylie then took a seat. Lulu stroked Mo’s back. He looked up at her with sad, brown eyes.

  ‘How was your day, Lulu?’ asked Millie. ‘Did you get your seedlings planted?’

  Lulu nodded. ‘We just finished. But you should see the garden at school. It was completely destroyed by the storm.’ Lulu told Millie all about the damage.

  ‘Rosie’s really upset,’ explained Lulu. ‘It was her favourite part of the playground but it might be blocked off for months until we can plant a new garden.’

  ‘Oh no,’ said Millie. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’

  Lulu nodded. ‘We’ve started The Magical Garden Club,’ she said. ‘We’re going to raise money for new plants and soil by selling cupcakes and brownies.’

  Millie looked thoughtful. ‘That sounds like a wonderful idea,’ she said.

  Just then, Kylie waved Millie over. ‘Dr Bell can see Mo now,’ she said.

  ‘See you later, Lulu,’ Millie called, as she took Mo into the consulting room.

  Lulu wanted to see how Mo was feeling after his appointment so she decided to wait. Besides, she enjoyed talking to all the pets that came into the vet hospital. And their owners, too. She liked finding out what was wrong with the animals, then later she would ask Dad how he treated them.

  Lulu talked to a few of the clients who were waiting. She told them about the chicks at school, and about the storm and the plan to rebuild the garden.

  After a while, Millie came out without Mo.

  ‘Is Mo all right?’ asked Lulu. She felt worried.

  Millie smiled. ‘Your dad thinks he’ll be fine,’ she said. ‘But Mo is going to have a little sleepover at the vet hospital just to make sure. And I’m going home to work out a new laundry system so Mo can’t eat anything else he’s not supposed to!’

  Lulu felt relieved. ‘Dad says he’ll probably grow out of it. Labradors are terrible at eating everything in sight.’

  ‘You know, Lulu,’ said Millie, ‘I’ve been thinking about your school garden problem.’

  ‘Yes?’ she asked.

  ‘Would you like me to help you with the new garden?’ asked Millie. ‘I could draw up a design based on what you and your friends want. And I could help you buy the plants and soil – I wouldn’t be able to get it for free, but I could get it at a good price.’

  Lulu thought hard. She remembered Millie’s nursery, The Hidden Garden. It was one of the most beautiful places she could imagine. Millie would be the perfect person to help them!

  Lulu grinned. ‘That would be wonderful, Millie,’ said Lulu. ‘Will you really, truly help us?’

  ‘Of course I will,’ said Millie. ‘If we all work together, we could do something really amazing. Do you think we could organise a meeting of The Magical Garden Club so that we could discuss ideas?’

  Chapter 8

  The Magical Garden Club

  Lulu couldn’t wait to get to school early on Tuesday to visit the chicks. A crowd of students watched as the fluffy hatchlings waddled around and huddled together.

  ‘Look, Lulu,’ said Molly. ‘There are six adorable chicks now.’

  Molly’s brother Sam smiled shyly. ‘Won’t it be cool when all the chicks have hatched from their eggs?’

  ‘They’ll need a big pen!’ said Lulu.

  Suddenly Lulu had a brilliant idea. Perhaps they could keep the chickens at school! That way, everyone would get to play with them and help look after them. Lulu thought hard about a home for the chickens. What they needed was a spacious coop where they would be safe and secure. Lulu’s mind buzzed with ideas for a marvellous, multistorey chicken house. She knew exactly how it should look. At recess and lunch, Lulu worked hard on sketching her ideas.

  After school was the very first meeting of The Magical Garden Club. Mum had organised it with Mrs Fisher. Emails had been sent out to parents and an announcement had been made in assembly.

  Lulu felt a flutter of nerves in her tummy as she walked to the hall, carrying her drawings. What would everyone think of her idea? As she walked in through the side door with Molly, Lulu stopped and stared.

  ‘Oh my goodness, Molly,’ said Lulu. ‘Look how many people are here!’

  The hall was crowded. Children from every year sat cross-legged on the floor. Teachers stood up the back. Parents and grandparents sat on chairs. Lulu even spotted some of the clients from the vet hospital who she had spoken to yesterday afternoon.

  Molly grinned at Lulu as they sat down. ‘Everyone wants to help!’

  Mrs Fisher stood up the front. She welcomed the audience then introduced Millie, who stood by a large whiteboard. Millie was going to jot down any ideas the children had, and use them to help plan the garden.

  ‘Yesterday I explained that it is expensive to make a new garden,’ said Mrs Fisher. ‘One of our year-four students, Lulu Bell, had a good plan to raise money so that we can fix the garden more quickly. Lulu and her friends have started The Magical Garden Club. Some of the parents are organising stalls to raise money and others have offered to help build the new garden. There were also some great ideas in our suggestion box. It’s wonderful to see so many people wanting to make our garden special!’

  Mrs Fisher looked out over the audience. ‘Now let’s talk about some ideas for the garden design. Personally, I’d love to make the garden beds raised. In the old garden, the plants sometimes got trampled on by the kids running around.’

  Millie nodded and wrote it on the board.

  ‘But more importantly, what would the students like?’ asked Mrs Fisher. She looked at the students.

  A forest of arms shot into the air. Kids called out their suggestions and Millie wrote them down.

  ‘A really cool cubbyhouse,’ said Daniel.

  ‘Somewhere to play hide and seek,’ said Sam.

  ‘Stepping stones so we can play hopscotch,’ said Rosie.

  ‘Lots of pretty flowers,’ said Mia. ‘And herbs.’

  ‘Passionfruit and strawberries!’ called Max. ‘Yum!’

  ‘A worm farm,’ said Zac.

  ‘A garden of Asian greens,’ said Molly.

  ‘Little bird houses,’ said Amira.

  ‘A chicken coop!’ called out Lulu.

  Mrs Fisher raised her eyebrows. ‘Chickens?’

  ‘Yes,’ said Lulu. ‘We could keep all the little chicks and watch them grow up. When they’re old enough, they could live outside near the veggie garden. The chicken run could go between the hall and the back fence so it’s out of the way.’

  Lulu held up one of her drawings. Her chook house had doors and windows and verandahs where the chickens could roost. With its white walls and bright red roof, it looked like a miniature farmhouse.

  All the children whispered excitedly.

  Mrs Fisher smiled. ‘Well, I’m not sure about that idea.’

  Molly shot up her hand. ‘There are lots of families like ours who live in apartments. We can’t have many pets, so it would be
really cool to have pets at school that we could share.’

  ‘That’s true, Molly,’ said Mrs Fisher. ‘I’ll think about it.’

  Once everyone had shared their ideas, Millie stood back and looked at the whiteboard.

  ‘Wow,’ said Millie. ‘We certainly have a lot of brilliant ideas.’ She took a large piece of paper from her bag. ‘Today I drew up some rough plans for the space.’ The plan showed garden beds, paths, benches and hedges, all neatly drawn to scale.

  ‘Now I can adapt the design to incorporate as many of the kids’ ideas as possible,’ she explained.

  Using a marker, Millie drew on her plan. ‘For example, we can change these paths into hopscotch pavers. The worm farm can go here. This area can be a scented shrubbery, with twisting paths for running and hiding.’

  Millie continued adding things to the drawing. ‘The strawberry patch can go there. The compost bins can go here.’

  She shot a smile at Lulu. ‘And as Lulu said, a chicken run could tuck in behind the hall very nicely.’

  Lulu glowed. It looked like this might be the best garden ever.

  Chapter 9

  Working Bee

  It was a busy week. Everyone wanted to be part of The Magical Garden Club. Mum and Molly’s mum Tien organised a lunchtime barbecue on Thursday to raise money. They sold sausage sandwiches, ice-creams and drinks. Families baked sweet treats for a cake stall on Friday. Kylie sold chocolates at the vet hospital. Millie used the money raised from the barbecue, the cake stall and the chocolates to buy soil, compost, plants, mulch and everything else they needed.