There once was a dog called Digger, who loved to spend a lot of time in his garden.  He would grow strawberries and potatoes, carrots and tomatoes.  He would mow the lawn and dig the earth.  The trees would be covered with blossom in the springtime and the leaves would turn orange and red in the autumn.   There was always something to do in the garden and Digger was always busy.  He would be outside in the sunshine and the rain, tending the plants in all weathers.

Of all the things he liked to grow in the garden, the flowers were Digger’s most favourite thing.    He would plant daffodil bulbs and watch them grow into beautiful yellow blooms.  He would prune the rose bushes so they would grow back to be covered with sweet smelling petals.   The little plants in the rockery would be filled with tiny bursts of colour.  It was hard work, but Digger was so proud after a hard day’s work of weeding, planting and watering.  He would sit back in the evening to see such a lovely garden. 

One hot sunny day, Digger went out to water the flowers.  The sun was shining and he knew that all the plants would be very thirsty.  Digger had emptied one watering can and was just about to go to fill it with water again, when he heard a tiny noise coming from the forget-me-nots.  Listening very careful, Digger thought he heard a small coughing and spluttering noise.  Putting the watering can down, he peered into the forget-me-nots and saw a butterfly.  It was brightly coloured and delicate, but very, very wet and very annoyed.

“You almost drowned me!” said the butterfly, as she coughed and spluttered some more.  “You want to watch where you’re watering you know!”

“I’m so sorry,” said Digger, “I just didn’t see you in the flowers.”

“You sit down for a little rest and end up drenched in water!” said the butterfly, angrily.  

“Here, let me help you dry your wings,” said Digger.  He reached out his paw and the butterfly crawled out of the flowers.  Very carefully he placed the butterfly on a dock leaf in the sunshine, so she could warm herself and dry out. 

When the butterfly had calmed down and her wings were dry again, Digger was surprised to find that she was actually very friendly.  Betty the butterfly said that this was her very favourite garden because of all the lovely flowers, which Digger took as a great compliment.  They sat in the garden for many hours talking about the flowers and the plants, and the trees and the vegetables, and they became great friends. 

Every summer you can see Digger tending his garden and every afternoon you will see him chatting with Betty the butterfly - but he is always very careful to look out for her when he’s watering the flowers!