Richie and the Camomile Tea

A story from Buddy & Richie’s Field Guide to Plants

It was a peaceful afternoon in the garden. The sun was warm, the bees were buzzing, and their human was sitting with a book and a cup of camomile tea.

Richie wandered over, curious as ever. He sniffed at the cup, gave a thoughtful pause—and then, very gently, took a sip.

“Oh!” said their human. “You like that?”

From that day on, Richie became a camomile connoisseur. Now, whenever the kettle goes on and the camomile bag comes out, he trots into the kitchen and waits.

Buddy was surprised at first. “You’re not supposed to like tea,” he said. But then he had a sip too. Just a little. And decided Richie might be onto something.

It became a ritual—on calm mornings or after muddy adventures, both boys get a small saucer of cooled camomile tea. It’s gentle, floral, and soothing for their tummies.

“It’s the sunshine herb,” Buddy told Richie once, lying under the apple tree. “It helps us rest, and it reminds us to soften.”

Richie nodded. “I like how it tastes like a garden nap.”

They don’t drink just any tea, of course. Only camomile. Only a little. And **only when their human says it’s OK**.

That’s one of Buddy’s Golden Foraging Rules:
“Always ask first. Especially with brews.”

“Some plants are for tea. Others are just for smelling.” – Buddy