The Mysterious Garden
Lucy had always been curious. She was eleven years old and loved to explore the fields and woods around her house. Her family lived in a small village, surrounded by farms and meadows. One sunny afternoon, she decided to take her bike and ride down a path she had never taken before.
As she rode through the fields, she saw a tall stone wall covered with ivy. Behind it, Lucy could see the tops of some trees and colorful flowers peeking over the wall. It looked like a garden, but there was no gate or entrance she could see. The wall seemed to go on and on.
Finally, after riding along the wall for a few minutes, she found a small iron door. It was old, rusty, and half-hidden by the ivy. Lucy pushed the door, and to her surprise, it creaked open. She stepped inside and looked around, amazed at what she saw.
The garden was beautiful. There were roses, sunflowers, and lilies of all colors. Birds were singing in the trees, and butterflies danced above the flowers. But there was something strange, too. Everything felt… forgotten. The plants were a little overgrown, and some paths were covered in leaves and moss.
As Lucy walked along a path, she found an old bench with a book on it. The book looked very old, with a green leather cover and gold letters on the front. She picked it up and opened it. Inside, there were hand-drawn pictures of plants, trees, and flowers, and notes written in small, careful handwriting. It looked like someone had been studying the garden a long time ago.
Suddenly, she heard a noise behind her. Lucy quickly turned around and saw an elderly woman standing there, watching her. The woman wore a long green dress and had a gentle smile.
“Hello, dear,” the woman said kindly. “I see you’ve found my garden.”
Lucy felt a bit nervous but also excited. “Is this your garden?” she asked.
The woman nodded. “Yes, I used to spend all my time here. But I’m old now, and it’s hard for me to take care of it.”
Lucy looked around and felt sad that such a beautiful place was hidden away and forgotten. “I can help you,” she offered. “I love gardens, and I live close by.”
The woman’s face lit up with happiness. “That would be wonderful, my dear! Together, we can bring this garden back to life.”
From that day on, Lucy visited the garden every week. She pulled out weeds, watered the plants, and planted new flowers. The elderly woman, whose name was Mrs. Willow, taught Lucy about all the plants and their names. Lucy learned about roses, tulips, and even special herbs she had never heard of before.
Slowly, the garden became beautiful and lively again. People in the village started to notice, and soon, others came to visit and enjoy its beauty.
Lucy and Mrs. Willow became friends, and the garden was no longer a forgotten, hidden place. It became a special spot for everyone, filled with color, laughter, and friendship.
I am Nilay, an experienced English Language Assessment Director at the International English Test, where I have been working full-time since February 2020. I specialize in helping people worldwide validate their English proficiency through comprehensive assessments and certifications.
Before joining the International English Test, I worked as a self-employed English Language Assessment Consultant from January 2015 to December 2019. During this time, I assisted companies and individuals in improving their language skills, helping them achieve their academic and professional goals.
I hold a degree in Engineering and have also studied at Shafston International College in Australia. My educational background has equipped me with the tools to make a meaningful impact in the field of English language learning. Additionally, I enjoy sharing my expertise through articles that explore effective teaching methods and language assessment strategies, contributing to the International English Test and the broader assessment community.
