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A Children's Story
Mackenzie’s Mullikins
and the Garden of Life
The old oak stood majestically in the early morning sunlight as the damp leaves shivered slightly in the waning breeze. The hummingbirds were busy collecting breakfast from the honeysuckle covered arbor chatting about their plans for the day and discussing where the sweetest nectar could be found. It was quickly agreed upon that this garden was the most fruitful one for miles around. This garden had red roses, yellow nasturtium, pink butterfly bushes, magenta poppies, purple foxglove, sweet william, magnolia, violets, lupins, bergamot and a giant honeysuckle vine. Mr. And Mrs. Starling sang their agreement as they hurried to gather fresh dew worms for their hungry children whose voices were raised in chorus for their morning meal. The slugs certainly agreed as they oozed their fat bellies back into the shade of the comfrey and peonies, after spending the night feasting on the succulent young leaves of a delphinium. The flowers stood waiting as the first rays of sunlight filtered down through the leaves of the plum tree and warmed the earthen bed where their roots cuddled together beneath the rich soil. Sebastian, the big black cat, came sprinting through the garden and over the fence, chasing a bright yellow butterfly and disturbing a tall camilia bush in the process.
There beneath the bush was a tiny figure yawning, stretching and looking around in dazed confusion. “Oooh! Where am I?” he lamented. “Wait a minute…who am I?” “What happened?” The little creature had big floppy, lopsided ears, large worried blue eyes and shiny purple fur that reflected the morning light. He was only a few inches high when he stood on his short stubby legs and stretched his long neck.
Cautiously, he peered through the leaves of his shelter taking in the breathtaking view which unfolded before him. Heaving a sigh of relief, he acknowledged that he was in a garden, so he knew he would at least have food and shelter from the elements; but where were the others? He had a giant headache, couldn’t remember who he was or how he ended up in this foreign garden, but he knew there were others like him. Others who could maybe answer some of the questions that were whirling through his aching brain. Munching thoughtfully on a dew covered leaf, he gazed about at the vibrant display of colours. “I’m lost”, he thought. “I’m lost and alone and I don’t know what to do.” A voice from a long ago time echoed through his mind. “When you are lost, stay where you are and help will come to you..” Remembering this message, he decided, “I’ll just sit where I am for a while and think about what I should do next.” And sit he did, munching on leaves and thinking, and thinking and munching until the sun was well up over the horizon.
Suddenly, all the leaves in the garden began to shake as little heads popped out from beneath each plant. Wide eyes stared out in questioning wonder as tiny jaws dropped open in amazement. Noticing each other, the minute figures carefully stepped out from their leafy havens. Immediately the chatter began, “Where are we?” “Are we still on earth?” “Are we alive?” followed by a frightened question, “Are we dead?” “Quiet children,” came a deep soothing voice. “All your questions will be answered once we make sure everyone is here.”
They turned in unison to face a wrinkled old creature wearing a battered hat with a drooping point and with the brim slipping down over his ears. He had a large bulbous nose, twinkling white eyes, and long octopus arms and legs. Quickly the creatures gathered around him, sitting quietly on the ground. His melodious, resonant voice blanketed the group with a calming sensation. They didn’t remember his name but he obviously had wisdom to impart to them. They listened with rapt attention while he cleared his throat, raised his arms and prepared to speak. “I know that you are all very confused now. I too have lost some of my memories, but I do know how we came to be here.”
There was a sharp intake of breath as the group leaned eagerly towards their leader. “We lived in a garden for a long time. I don’t remember how long we were there. Food was not always plentiful, but we survived and lived peaceful, harmonious lives. We kept the weeds down and chased slugs from the delicate new plant shoots. We turned the soil and carried great leaves full of water for the flowers and vegetables. When they were cold we gathered our bodies close to them and gave them our warmth.
It was a busy yet gentle life until one evening a great plague befell the plants in our garden. Chemicals rained down from above scorching the plants and bringing tears to our eyes and fire to our lungs. I do not know why the gardener chose to bring this to his garden but I will never forget the bottle he held in his hand or the picture staring out from the label.” In the tense silence that followed, the leader took his cane and drew the offensive picture in the sand. The creatures moved back from the frightening symbol of a skull and crossbones which represented a poisonous substance and grasped each others’ hands for comfort.
“My children, we have learned a lesson from this symbol. It tells us that evil, danger lies waiting in the container beyond the picture. If we ever see this symbol we must run for our lives and let others know that danger is close. We must not touch or breathe the poison for fear of illness or death!” With this statement, all the creatures looked at the reddened eyes and burned patches of skin on themselves and the others. Again they began to chatter. Some began to cry which was a very good thing to do because it cleared their eyes and bodies of the hurt. Others became angry and shouted out loudly to plot revenge against the gardener who did this to them. “Did we do something to make the man angry?” came a quiet little voice.
The leader raised all of his tentacles and called for silence. Looking lovingly upon them he said quietly, “the garden keeper did not know we were there. I believe he was trying to help his plants grow but didn’t realize the effect it would have on the rest of the garden, on the soil, on the air, on the wildlife. He forgot to ask questions and he forgot the message of the symbol on the label.” All eyes returned to the drawing in the sand. “We barely escaped through the stinging showers and then we walked much further than we have ever walked before with a burning in our noses. Finally we saw solar lights ahead of us and followed the clear sweet scent of flowers to this garden in which we have awoken. It was terrible circumstances which forced our move, but I believe the change will be good for us. It will be difficult for a while until we know our way around, but we will find our path and create a beautiful new future here. The first task we must accomplish in our new land is to gather food, water and our memories. We must have names and I trust that we will find them here amongst all this beauty.” As he finished speaking, a large shadow loomed over the close knit group. In complete panic the little creatures scattered beneath the leaves of the plants. Panting and breathless with fear, they cringed against the stalks, trying to become invisible as two large feet appeared at the edge of the garden and a booming voice sounded in their ears.
Through the back door of the adjacent house an older woman with light blond hair and a ready smile approached the garden. “I’m so glad you came to visit Phyllis,” she said, donning a pair of gardening gloves. “I’ve been wanting to show you around my garden for such a long time.” The woman beamed with pride as she turned to help her ageing neighbor down the patio steps. Phyllis peered into the garden and stated emphatically, ‘It looks like it needs water and if I were you Mary , I’d spray it down for pests that might be eating your flowers!” The leaves on some of the plants shivered after this last statement was made. Hiding her disappointment at the unexpected criticism, Mary cast a knowing look at her friend and said, “I use what is called companion planting in my garden. I will never use chemicals…I’d rather share with all the creatures of the world than to destroy any of them with poison.” Her friend harrumphed and plodded through the arbour chiding, “Well, you’ve probably got more creatures than you’ve ever seen hiding in these plants. I bet they’re all looking for a free meal at your expense too!” The pleasant looking woman named Mary sighed as she looked over at Phyllis. She spent years talking to her friend about health but it all fell on deaf ears because Phyllis refused to recycle or to change her gardening habits in any way.
Mary began to identify all of the flowers in her garden for Phyllis,unaware that as she pointed to each plant she was also pointing to each tiny body hidden beneath the leaves. “Here is Poppy, regal and proud. Over there is Sweet William who is charming and debonair. By your foot is little violet, shy and very quiet. Beside the fence is purple Sage who brings his wisdom and truth to my little garden patch. Nasturtium is very elegant but tries to take over sometimes. Marigold and Lavender are the healers and protectors. Wisteria is very carefree and just loves to climb. Lily gathers water in her blooms and nourishes the other plants while Rose, who is prickly at times, fills the air with sweet perfume. Gentle Camomile keeps away the insects while Creeping Jenny deters the mosquitoes. The Chocolate mint is very funloving and freshens up the world.
“Well, what do you think?” she said after introducing the plants.. Her friend retorted, “I think that you have been in the sun for far too long and that it is time for my tea! Not herbal tea either!” huffed the elderly woman retracing her steps into the house. The gardener smiled at each one of the plants and said, “You are all beautiful and I love each and every one of you. Thank you for living in my garden and bringing me so much joy.” With that, she too entered the house to put out the tea and muffins.
Slowly the creatures emerged from their hidden burrows. “Can you believe that? She gave us names” cried one shaking his floppy ears. “She called me Sweet William!!” A pensive pink little creature with no legs, a long thin body, bulging eyes and halo of pink hair piped up, “my name is violet” she said then shrank back under a leaf. A similar creature with a long body and bright orange eyes exclaimed, “Lupin! I am going to call myself Lupin!” A bright blue, long nosed creature with swirls and squiggles all over its body primped and twirled saying, “I am Wisteria and I just love to be carefree.” Each creature tried on its new name and miraculously the names seemed to fit each one perfectly. Each one stepped forward with a flourish and a pirouette, as they introduced themselves to each other. The wizened leader, now named Sage, clapped his hands together drawing their attention. “My children, our adventure has begun. We have learned many things through our devastating times and now it is time to settle again with our new knowledge. Remember the burning rain which harmed our habitat, remember that some humans don’t seem to care about our little world here, and remember to stay hidden and safe from the humans.”
“Hi there little buggies” said a tiny melodic voice. “Do you live in my grandma’s garden?” In horror they turned to face a child of about four years old with a cherubic face, eyes as blue as the summer sky and little pigtails bobbing above her head. “Oh, how many adventures can we endure in one day?” lamented one of the tiny creatures as he and the others stepped back into the shadow of the plants knowing it was too late to try hiding from the human. Was another lesson about to begin? The creatures looked to their leader for guidance as he drew a deep intake of breath and bravely stepped forward, keeping his tiny charges behind him.
Chapter two coming soon...please give your input about chapter one...rmwccommunity@gmail.com