Create an illustration of a vibrant garden scene with tall trees, colorful flowers, and children playing happily. The children should be shown caring for the plants—watering them, smiling, and enjoying the beauty of nature. The scene should be filled with bright colors, with butterflies fluttering and birds in the trees, conveying a sense of joy and the importance of taking care of God’s creation.

Caring for God's Garden, A Story about Bal Tashchit

Shoshanah watering flowers in a bright garden with tall flowers around her

In a garden so bright, with flowers so tall, lived Shoshanah and Miriam, who were quite small. They loved the garden, with colors so grand, and took care of it with their own little hands. Every morning they’d water, and every night they’d pray, thanking God for this garden, in which they could play.

A Garden So Bright

Shoshanah planting a tree with determination, while Miriam watches with bright eyes

Shoshanah told Miriam, 'We must care for each tree, for God gave us this garden, for you and for me.' Miriam nodded, her eyes shining bright, 'We must not waste, we must do what’s right.' Together they planted, and together they grew, learning each day what they needed to do.

Learning to Care

Birds singing in the trees with a clean garden below

One day the birds sang a song in the trees, 'Take care of the earth, and the earth will please.' Shoshanah and Miriam listened with care, knowing their garden needed love everywhere. They picked up the trash and cleaned up the ground, making sure beauty was all around.

A Lesson from the Birds

Shoshanah lovingly watering a plant while Miriam sings to the sky

Shoshanah would water each plant with love, while Miriam sang songs to the sky above. They knew that water was precious and rare, so they used it wisely, with tender care. 'Bal Tashchit,' they’d say, 'Do not waste, do not throw, for the garden needs love to flourish and grow.'

Water with Love

Shoshanah and Miriam mixing compost in a big pile with happy expressions

They learned about compost, turning waste into gold, making the soil rich, or so they were told. Shoshanah and Miriam gathered leaves and scraps, mixing them together in big, happy laps. The garden grew greener, the flowers bloomed bright, all because they cared, from morning to night.

The Magic of Compost

Friends helping in the garden, planting seeds and watering with cheer

Their friends came to visit, to see what they’d done, and joined in the caring, making work into fun. They planted new seeds, and watered with cheer, knowing the garden would thrive year after year. Shoshanah and Miriam showed them the way, to love and protect, every single day.

Friends of the Garden

Shoshanah and Miriam making a promise in the garden as the sun sets low

They made a promise, as the sun set low, to always care for the garden, to help it grow. 'Bal Tashchit,' they’d whisper, 'we will not waste, for this is God’s garden, and it needs our embrace.' With hearts full of love, and hands in the soil, they knew their hard work was worth all the toil.

A Promise to Keep

Shoshanah and Miriam dancing in the sunlight with blooming flowers around

The garden was happy, the flowers in bloom, thanks to Shoshanah and Miriam, who banished all gloom. They danced in the sunlight, and sang with delight, knowing they’d cared for God’s gift just right. And as they played, with smiles so wide, they felt God’s love, always by their side.