Marion’s Picnic Plan

Marion and Fiona plan a garden picnic for Grandma’s birthday. They spread a blue rug on the lawn. They bring a basket of bread to share with the family.

Before they put out the cups, Marion notices ants beside the basket. A crumb has fallen onto the grass, and a little line of ants is moving towards it.

Fiona wants to brush the ants away. Grandma suggests another place. “The ants live in the garden too,” she says. She points to the table on the covered veranda.

The girls carry the basket first. A clean cloth keeps the bread covered. Then they fold the rug and take the cups to the table together.

Marion wipes the tabletop while Fiona sets out the cups. They place the basket in the middle and add a little vase of garden flowers beside it.

Grandma sits down with the family. She notices how carefully they have arranged everything. The girls explain why they moved their picnic instead of disturbing the ants.

After their snack, they watch the ants from the edge of the lawn. The small creatures are still busy near the crumb. They carry tiny pieces back towards their home.

Fiona clears the cups while Marion helps Grandma carry the basket inside. “Our picnic had a new place,” says Marion, “and we left room for the ants as well.”