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FICTION A WONDERFUL SURPRISE. BY EMMA WILKINSON ILLUSTRATED BY MATT WARD.

It was the end of the school day, and Asser put his pens and pencils away neatly. He looked out of the classroom window for his mom, but he couldn't see her. Mrs Eman , his teacher, took the children outside. Then Asser saw his grandma waiting at the school gates. He smiled and waved at her..

Asser loved it when his grandma picked him up, and he hugged her. "What a nice surprise! I didn't know you were coming today, he said . “ Your mom is busy, so I'm here today," she smiled. "Now, where's your sister?" They saw Mayar come out of her classroom. She was with her friends, and she was carrying a book. She looked very happy . Mayer's teacher, Mrs Azza , came to talk to Grandma..

Mrs Azza said, "Mayar has a new book. It has words that you can read to her. It also has words in braille that she can read herself. "Thank you!" said Grandma. "We can read this together this evening ."“ Are we going to your house today, Grandma?" asked Mayar."Yes, we are. Your mom and dad are busy. Should we make cookies?" "Yes, please!" said Asser and Mayar..

The children stayed at Grandma's house until the evening. Their parents arrived after dinner. "Thanks for having the children, Mom," said their mom. "You're welcome, Salma! I love having them here!" replied Grandma. "Did you have a good time with Grandma today?" asked their mom. 'Yes, of course! And look at my new book from school!" said Mayar."It's great. Let's read it when we get home," said their dad . Their mom and dad were happy to see Mayar's new book. When Mayar was a baby, her mom and dad learned braille. They helped her to read. Now, they love reading with their daughter in the evenings..

The family all got in the car to go home. As Asser went to put the school bags in the open trunk, he noticed something strange. He saw his mom and dad's boots there, and they were muddy .“ Their boots are really muddy. Have Mom and Dad been to a farm?" thought Asser . Asser then got into the car, and they all went home..

The next morning, at breakfast, the children's mom said, "Grandma will pick you up from school again today. "Are you going to be home late, Mom?" asked Asser ."Yes , I'm very busy this week. I'll pick you up from Grandma's at seven o'clock." "OK," said Asser ."It‘ s music club today, so don't forget your guitar, Asser. Mayar, you have pottery classes at lunchtime, so remember your apron.".

Can we listen to an audiobook, Mom?" asked Mayar."Yes, of course," her mom said . While Mayar and her mom chose an audiobook, Asser looked out of the window. He was thinking about his school concert next week. He hoped his parents remembered it. He really wanted them to come and watch him. Asser wanted to ask his mom about the concert, but she looked tired. He decided to ask her later.

On the weekend, the parents were busy again. Salma planned to take the children to Grandma's. It was a beautiful day, so Asser decided to take football . He went to the garage to get this football. Outside the garage, he saw h shovel . It was covered in mud. Asser looked around the yard . There was different there, no new trees or plants. Why was the shovel so muddy? "That's strange," thought Asser..

Asser and Mayar went to their grandma's house every day that week. Asser was worried about the concert. He really wanted his mom and dad to go to the concert. He wanted them to hear him sing and play his guitar. Did they remember about it? They were so busy. He practiced his song a lot because he wanted the concert to go well..

Later on, Asser was playing in Grandma's yard while Mayar listened to an audiobook. Asser's friend, Shady, came by."Hi, Asser. I didn't know you lived here," said Shady ."It 's my grandma's house," said Asser ."Do you want to come to the park with me and my dad?" asked Shady .'Yes, but I'll have to ask Grandma," said Asser . Asser went inside. "Grandma, can I go to the park with Shady and his dad, please?" he said ."Yes, of course. Take your water bottle!" replied Grandma..

Asser and Shady had fun in the park. When they got tired, they sat down by some thick bushes. They drank some water and ate some fruit . They were sitting quietly when they heard people talking. "That sounds like your mom and dad," said Shady . Asser looked around. Shady was right. It sounded like they were near - but where?.

Asser and Shady walked around the bushes. On the other side, there was a group of people working. Asser's parents were there, digging . Asser ran over to his parents. When his parents saw them, they looked surprised. "Asser! What are you doing here?" asked his dad . Asser replied, "Shady and his dad invited me to come to the park. Grandma said it was OK. "Asser looked down and saw his dad's muddy boots. "But what are you doing here?" he asked..

Asser's parents looked at each other and laughed. His dad put down his spade. They showed Asser and Shady a large information board with a plan on it. The plan showed lots of exciting new play equipment ."We're making a playground with a sensory garden. It's for all the children in the neighbourhood to enjoy," said Salma . Shady 's dad arrived. "Wow! This is going to be amazing," he said..

What's a sensory garden?" asked Shady."A sensory garden is a place where you can hear, see, and touch all kinds of interesting things," said Asser's dad. "Mayar and lots of other children couldn't use some of the equipment in the old playground. So, we're working with these builders to make a space that everybody can enjoy. There's a fountain, and there will be wind chimes for relaxing sounds. There will be wide paths, so it's easy for people in wheelchairs to enjoy the garden.""We're planting flowers, too," said Asser's mom. "They will smell beautiful." "This is awesome," said Asser. "Is this why you've been so busy?".

"Yes, it is! We didn't tell you about it because it's a surprise!" said his dad. "I'd love to do something to help, too!" said Asser."Great!" said his mom. "The builders are putting in the big equipment next week, but you can help us plant the flowers.""You can hang the wind chimes, too," said his dad.Asser and Shady started helping. It was hard work, but the boys had fun."Thank you for helping!" said Asser's mom. "When this opens next week, you can come and show everybody around.".

The next weekend, the children's Mom said, "Mayar, we have a surprise!" "What is it?" asked Mayar."We can't tell you. It's a secret. Let's all go to the park," said Mayar's dad. Asser enjoyed showing Mayar around the sensory garden."I love it here! The fountain is my favorite thing!" said Mayar."Thank you for helping us, Asser," said their mom, "and don't worry - we haven't forgot your concert!".

By Adham Mostafa Shetewy.