One day, Miriam got a letter along with a watermelon seed from Uncle Esai. The letter said:
Miriam,
This is a magic seed for you. Plant it, and it will grant 1 three wishes. Remember to be patient: the world has its own rhythm.
Uncle Esai
Miriam thought, "A magic seed? Maybe it's Uncle Esai's 2 , but why not have a try?" She planted the seed in the yard, and made her 3 wish, "I want the watermelon to grow as big as a mountain!"
The next morning, Miriam was very 4 to see a huge watermelon in the yard. She couldn't believe it. "I must 5 it at once!" She hurried to cut the watermelon, but it was too hard. She became angry. "This is a silly watermelon! I don't want it!"
Immediately the fruit became a seed again. Miriam 6 her second wish had been granted. "Humph! This is not fun!" she cried.
A few days later, Miriam found Uncle Esai's 7 and read it again. She stopped when she saw the words "be patient". How could she forget it? She rushed out of the door and 8 ran to the yard to find the seed. This time, she promised she would make the best use of the third wish.
She thought for a while. "I hope my 9 could spend more time together." But her parents needed to work. How could the seed help? Although it seemed impossible, she still decided to 10 the seed with patience.
Miriam got some information about 11 to plant a watermelon, and then followed the steps carefully. When the seed turned into a normal-sized watermelon, she 12 it with her friends and neighbours. Everybody liked its taste.
Miriam's family got the seeds 13 the watermelon and planted more afterwards. They were so delicious that the neighbours offered to buy some. The watermelons brought extra money 14 Miriam's parents didn't have to be away for work as much. They had more family time.
Miriam finally knew what Uncle Esai meant—be patient, and life will be as 15 as a watermelon!
