The Gardener
Opa (grandpa) Johan told his girlfriend – a lovely woman -
about a beautiful garden.
“What a lovely garden. How did you manage it?” So I asked The Gardener.
“God granted me a little plot of earth. The rain came, the sun shone and
the wind carried seeds. Then the soil became a seedbed, tiny plants were
germinating. I dug a well to water them and they changed into ferns,
chevelures, plants with beautiful flowers and some even into big trees. I
haven’t expensive, special roses, only wild roses, wild flowers and wild
plants. Sometimes I took back home seeds of plants which I liked to have in my
garden. Sure, you could plant any plant you like if your plot of earth has
sufficient space to support, you diligently water and
care for it.
I made a little pond, connected it with
a ditch with running water. Water plants – I planted a wild
water-lily, a lotus, a willow -, fish, freshwater shrimps, crabs, frogs, a
little turtle, dragon-, damselflies settled there. Butterflies, bees, crickets,
cicada’s, lizards, a squirrel and in the evening, bats,
fireflies visited while birds were nesting in my garden. I have built myself a
little cottage, - my nest - and am so grateful, my little plot of land changed
into a paradise.” So said The Gardener.
“Well,
how able you are, though you look like a
scarecrow”
I said, “though you haven’t got a proper education, never studied gardening or bought expensive
flowering plants, yet you managed to create a paradise.”
Do you want to make his acquaintance and see his garden?” Opa
Johan asked her.
“ . . . . . . . . . “
“I’m myself that gardener. Ha, ha.
So am I congratulating myself? Don’t you think I’m very courageous saying it? I deserve a kiss.”
