The best-selling author of the Mitford books tells a gentle parable of the rewards of patience. "This will make a beautiful vine with sweet-smelling flowers," says the person who gives the little seed to the Nice Lady. But as it spends the winter in a jelly jar, the little seed has its doubts. "Don't worry," the Earth tells the seed when it is finally planted, "God has something special planned for you." Through a long, hard summer of growing, the little seed learns an important lesson about the benefits of being different.