They pointed out the insects they found today to Maria.

On the corn leaves, there were tiny green dots—very common pests—aphids.

Aphids are very small, but when they appear, they often cluster in dense patches on the leaves, which can make people feel uneasy, almost triggering trypophobia.

The children had promptly crushed the aphids, leaving only some marks on the leaves without harming the plants themselves.

It wasn’t just the corn; the nearby wheat also showed signs of aphid infestation. Although the children had already taken care of them, there was no guarantee they wouldn’t come back.

Maria went to the kitchen to find some garlic, crushed it, and soaked...