Every year, on the twelfth Sunday of spring, Leo's family visits Granny at her small house in the countryside. Leo is Granny's favourite grandson, and he always looks forward to these visits. Granny stands at the door with a warm greeting for everyone. She wears a bright red scarf around her neck, even on mild days, because she says it brings good luck.
As soon as they arrive, Leo rolls up his sleeves and helps with the housework. He sweeps the floor, takes out the litter, and wipes down the cooker in the kitchen. Granny often says, "Don't be lazy, and you will always find satisfaction in hard work." Leo takes those words to heart and tries to do everything himself rather than asking others for help. He believes that doing things oneself is the best way to learn.
By mid-morning, the kitchen smells wonderful. Granny makes her famous pancakes on a hot pan and fries thick slices of ham until they are golden brown. She also prepares a large pot of cabbage soup and cuts up fresh pear slices for dessert. Leo's mother places a big hamburger on a plate for Leo's younger sister, who refuses to eat anything else. While the food cooks, Leo sits at the old wooden table and tries to recite a short poem that Granny taught him last year.
At the lunch table, Madam Chen, the elderly neighbour from next door, joins the family. She brings a small basket of fruit and shares stories about her travels. She once rode a camel across a desert in North Africa and says the experience changed her life. After the meal, the children play chess in the living room while the adults sit on the porch. Leo's father plays the violin, and everyone claps along to the cheerful melody. The little ones begin to chant a simple rhyme they learned at school, their voices rising and falling with the music.
In the afternoon, Granny shows Leo how to mend a torn jacket using a needle and thread. It is a skill she has kept since she was young. Granny carries a handbag everywhere she goes, and inside it she keeps a small sewing kit for emergencies. "A good stitch saves nine," she says with a smile. Leo also notices that Granny keeps a few cookbooks on the shelf, including one about a scientist who tried to clone traditional recipes using modern techniques. Leo finds the idea funny but interesting.
As the sun begins to set, the family says their goodbyes. Granny hugs each person tightly and waves from the doorstep until the car disappears down the road. Leo feels warm inside. He knows that no machine or clone could ever replace the love and care of a real family gathering. These simple Sundays at Granny's house are the memories he will carry with him for the rest of his life.