What do plants eat?

What do plants eat?

One day Billy was outside chasing different types of bugs.

While Billy was chasing the bugs, one landed on leaf. Next to the bug was a caterpillar! The Caterpillar was eating the leaf which made Billy think..."Hmm if caterpillars eat leaves, what do the leaves eat?"

After thinking about what leaves eat, Billy ran inside and asked his mom, "Mom," Billy said with curosity, "What do leaves eat?"

"Well," Billy's mom started to explain, " They don't EAT anything, they do something called photosynthesis to get the nutrients they need to survive."

Billy's mom continued on "Leaves absorb sunlight from the sun, water from the ground or rain, and they also absorb something called carbon dioxide . They have something called chlorophyll. Chlorophyll, helps the plant absorb the sunlight that is hitting its leaves."

"Once all of the the sunlight, carbon dixoide, and water are absorbed by the plant and its leaves, it begins photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is just the plant using what is has absorbed to make its own nutrients that help it grow! Once the plant is done with this process, it releases oxygen into the air using its leaves and sugars into the ground through its roots!" Billy's mom enthusiastic telling of how plants eat made Billy think again...

"Thats realy cool mom! Does that mean I can do  photosynthesis too?! 

Billy's mom chuckled and answered her excited son's question "No silly Billy! You aren't a plant! You are a little boy who needs to eat the lunch I made him."

Billy looked down at his plate which had broccoli, carrots, and a Peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

"I think I would rather have sunlight than these gross vegetables mom."