The red plant

Flora, a bright‑minded girl from a modest home, finds herself watching the grand garden of the Hausens, a family whose wealth is reflected in blooming beds of camellias, geraniums and rare shrubs. She compares her own cramped surroundings to the smooth, velvet‑like lawns and the greenhouse that seems to promise a world of endless beauty. The contrast kindles a quiet resentment that bubbles beneath her polite exterior.

When she is invited inside to collect a sewing pattern, Flora is warned not to touch the precious plants, yet a small red coleus in a hidden pot catches her eye, its crimson leaves edged with gold. The plant's vivid hue awakens a longing to possess something of the Hausens' splendor, and she imagines the kindness of the lady of the house offering it to her. Overcome by envy, Flora's curiosity teeters on the edge of theft, setting the stage for a lesson about pride, honesty, and the true value of generosity.