Tao brought a little clay jug. She poured too quickly at first and splashed her shoes. She stopped, lowered the jug, and tried again. This time a thin stream reached the soil beside the seedlings.

Slower is easier, she said with a smile. She gently loosened the crusted earth nearby. Ahe helped pull weeds, but his eyes kept returning to the muddy mark. We've done so much. Why aren't they growing yet?

When Tao went back to the cottage for more water, Ahe had an idea. He looked from the stick to the leaves. If I lift them a little, won't they be taller? The thought came so quickly that he forgot to wonder about their roots.