The Zombie Who Loved Oranges

Lily loved visiting her grandmother's farm. The best part was the orange grove, where trees stood heavy with bright fruit. But Grandma warned her about the old well near the grove. "Don't go near it at sunset," she said. "That's when the zombie comes out."

One evening, Lily forgot the warning. She was picking the perfect orange when she heard a *drag, thump* sound. Behind her, a greenish figure shuffled between the trees. Its clothes were tattered, and one arm hung loose.

Lily froze. But the zombie didn't chase her. Instead, it picked up fallen oranges and placed them gently back on branches.

"You're... you're helping the trees?" Lily whispered.

The zombie nodded slowly. It reached into its pocket and pulled out a small, perfect orange, offering it to her.

"Thank you," Lily said. "I'm Lily. What's your name?"

The creature pointed to a nearby tree, then made a sleeping motion.

"Sleeping Tree? Zombardo?" Lily guessed.

It nodded at Zombardo.

Over the next week, Lily learned Zombardo's story. Long ago, he'd been a farmer who loved his orange trees. When a drought struck, he'd searched everywhere for water to save them. He found a hidden spring with magical water—but drank too much and fell into a deep sleep. The water transformed him, keeping him alive but changed.

"The water brings the oranges back to life every spring," Zombardo explained slowly. "And it keeps me going too."

Lily realized the zombie wasn't scary—he was a guardian. The magical spring water flowed beneath the orange grove, giving the trees their sweetness.

"Grandma should know," Lily said. "She thinks you're scary."

Zombardo looked sad. Lily had an idea. She brought Grandma to the grove at sunset. When Zombardo appeared, Grandma gasped. But Lily explained everything.

Now, Grandma leaves baskets of oranges by the well each evening. And sometimes, when the sun sets, you can see Zombardo watering the trees with his magical spring water, making sure the orange grove stays beautiful forever.

Lily learned that sometimes, the things we think are scary are actually just misunderstood—and kindness can turn fear into friendship.