This story is about a sweet little girl named Gopika. She is the top student in her class, and not only that, she is kind to everyone and always wears a smile that makes others smile, too. She is so cheerful and lovable!

Every day after school, Gopika would pour the leftover water from her bottle at the base of a dried-up tree on the roadside. Her friends noticed this and began teasing her.

"You're so smart in studies, but you can't even understand that this tree is completely dead. How can it grow again? Why don't you pour water on the other healthy plants instead?" they asked.

But Gopika always replied, "I believe in this tree. One day, it will grow."

This went on for many days. Some friends even mocked her more harshly.

"You've been watering this tree for weeks and not even a single leaf has sprouted! Why waste water?"

At first, those words hurt Gopika. But then she thought,

"I've been doing this with hope and love. Why should I give up just because others don't believe in it?"

So she smiled and said, "No matter how many days it takes, I'll only water this tree. I have faith."

Soon, the school announced a five-day holiday. While most kids were happy, Gopika felt upset. "Oh no! I won't be able to water the tree for five whole days," she whispered sadly to the tree.

She gently spoke to it, "I've been giving you water every day... but now I can't come for five days. I'll ask my father - if he agrees, I'll definitely visit you."

But her father didn't take her near the tree for the next few days. She was heartbroken. Three whole days passed without her watering the tree. She felt very sad.

Then she prayed to God, "Please do something magical! Let it rain, at least! That way, the tree will get water."

Touched by her pure heart, God answered her prayer. It rained beautifully. Gopika was overjoyed.

She said happily, "Ah! Even if I couldn't come, this rain must have given the tree plenty of water. Thank you, God!"

Once the holidays were over, all the students returned to school. But that day, no one actually made it to school. A big crowd had gathered near the roadside.

Gopika rushed to see what had happened. "Is this where the tree was? Did someone cut it down?" she worried.

But as she moved closer, her eyes filled with tears of joy. The tree had sprouted two or three fresh green leaves! It was finally growing.

All her friends ran to her and hugged her.

"Wow, Gopika! You believed in this tree when no one else did. And look - it has started to grow!"

They praised her with admiration.

Gopika ran to the tree, hugged it gently, and gave it a kiss.

"Thank you... You've started growing! I was really sad that I couldn't water you during the holidays. My dad couldn't bring me here. But I prayed to God for rain, and He sent it. And now you've sprouted! I'm so, so happy!"

She went back to school happily.

From that day on, her friends learned an important lesson from her. They, too, started watering the plants and trees they passed by on their way.

Gopika's lesson was clear:

Never judge a dried-up plant or tree. Don't throw it away thinking it's lifeless. With a little love and water, it can come back to life.

Dear kids, even now, the trees and plants near your homes may look dry - especially in this hot season. There might not be enough rain either.

But if you have a little extra water in your bottle, don't throw it away. Pour it gently near a tree or plant. Don't wonder if just half a cup will make a difference. Just believe - just like Gopika did.

Water with hope, water with love - and life will grow.

Moral of the Story:

"Even small acts of kindness, when done with love and belief, can bring life and hope. Never give up on something just because others do."

"If you care with love and believe in what you do, even dry trees can grow."