In the desert, a cactus stands tall,
With spines so sharp, it won't let you crawl,
Under the blazing sun, it sweats and transpires,
Surviving in the heat, it never tires.

But how does it grow, you may wonder?
Through a process called germinate, no blunder,
A tiny seed, with water and care,
Sprouts into a plant, beyond compare.

For the cactus to thrive, it needs a mate,
A pollinator, like bees or hummingbirds, that's great,
They spread its seeds, from flower to flower,
Ensuring its survival, hour by hour.

But there's danger too, lurking nearby,
Predators like javelinas, come to try,
To eat the cactus, to survive themselves,
Nature's way, one of life's many shelves.

And when it's time, the cactus will evolve,
To adapt to its environment, and resolve,
To withstand the challenges, that come its way,
And thrive for generations, day by day.

And when it's done, and its life is complete,
The cactus will decompose, oh so sweet,
Returning to the earth, from whence it came,
A cycle of life, a beautiful game.

Reflections

1. How does the cactus survive in the desert?
2. What process does a cactus go through to grow from a tiny seed?
3. How does a cactus pollinate and spread its seeds?
4. What are some of the challenges a cactus faces in its environment?
5. How does a cactus adapt to its environment to survive and evolve?
6. What happens to a cactus at the end of its life cycle?
7. What can we learn from the resilience and life cycle of a cactus?