The Seed Packets

  In a time that was much like the time we are in now but not quite, there lived a little boy and girl. They were brother and sister and while they got along most of the time, they didn't see eye to eye every minute of the day. Their names were Delilah and Kieran.

They lived in a big blue house on the corner of their street. They had a husky dog, a tabby cat and 4 guppy fish they helped their Mom and Dad take care of. 

Kieran and Delilah had a number of chores they had to do on the weekends. Their chores changed from time to time but in the Spring, for a couple of weekends, they would have to help their Mom and Dad in the garden. They would pull weeds, plant seeds and water the vegetable patches. The gardening chores were their favourite because it was outside, didn't include a dirty cloth and they didn't have to touch a toilet. Gross.

This Saturday afternoon after lunch the kids met their Mom outside. She had on her very silly looking gardening outfit. A faded pink mud splotched apron, bright green gardening gloves and a big blue floppy hat. They giggled to each other when they saw her.

"What?!" Their Mom exclaimed.

"Nothing Mom. You look so....cool." Said Delilah, covering her mouth and stifling another giggle. 

"Well it's best to protect yourself from spiders, sun and soot. You don't like my get up"? Their Mom said putting one hand on her head and the other on her hip and wiggling up and down, showing off her outfit.

They all had a good laugh. 

"What I need you two to do for me today is go up to the corner store and buy some seeds. Whatever vegetables you like. Your choice." Their Mom requested.

Gloria, the corner store owner sold tons of plants and seeds every Spring. You could buy tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, lettuce, asparagus, broccoli, onions and turnips. You name it, she had it. She also had flowers, milk, cheese, bread, hot dogs, cans of corn, lottery tickets, ice cream, dish soap and pretty much anything else you might need. It was the most perfect corner store for everyone around.

Delilah and Kieran walked the block up the hill to the store. They waved hello to their neighbours who were out on their porches or in their own gardens doing some yard work. It was a nice, warm Spring day and everyone was out soaking up the sun. 

When they rounded the corner, they saw someone else outside the store that they didn't recognize. She looked like Gloria but she wasn't. She was standing behind a table covered with little packets. 

"Oh hi there. My name is Esther and I am Gloria's sister. I am here in town just for today selling my extra special veggie seeds."

The kids smiled at Esther who gave them both a big smile back. 

"What would you like to grow?" Esther asked them.

Kieran and Delilah looked through all the packets and decided on cucumbers, potatoes, corn, broccoli, carrots and radishes. They didn't like radishes but they knew it would make their Mom happy since she loved to eat them raw with a pinch of salt. Esther put the packets in a brown paper bag and took their money. Before they went to leave, she stopped them.

"The only thing I ask of you, and this is important, is that you tell these little seeds how important they are." She said in a whisper. "When you plant them in the ground, thank them for growing big and strong and tell them they are loved. If you do, these seeds will grow to be big and healthy. They will feed you well."

The kids ran back home to show their Mom and tell her what Esther had said. Their Mom was so happy they chose the radishes. She gave them both a big smooch on the cheeks. They explained what Esther had said and she inspected the seeds inside. 

"Ok then! We better do what she says." Their Mom exclaimed.

Delilah, Kieran and their Mom carefully selected the plots for each veggie patch. They dug little holes and placed the seeds in their little homes, telling each one that they were important, loved and then thanking them for growing strong. By the time they were done, they had laid out their veggie garden and labeled where each vegetable was. They put their hands on their hips, feeling proud of their accomplishments. Their Mom took off her floppy hat and wiped her brow. Job well done.

For the next couple of weeks, Kieran and Delilah watered the little garden patch each night after supper. Day after day, they would whisper to their growing baby vegetables that they were important and cared for. It seemed so silly but it also felt somehow magical and whimsical. The green tops looked healthy and strong. 

One morning, while the kids were brushing their teeth getting ready for school, they heard their Mom shout out.

"I can't believe it!" She yelled.

Kieran and Delilah ran down the stairs to find their Mom staring out the window and out into the front yard. They looked outside and were shocked to find that their garden plot was growing like crazy! There were bright purple potato flowers sprouting everywhere, bright green cucumbers on the vine, the corn was 5 feet high, the broccoli crowns were as big as their heads, the carrots were sprouting big leafy green tops and the radishes were as well. They ran outside to get a closer look. Delilah pulled on a carrot top and couldn't get it out. It took all three of them to pull it out and when they did it was as big as her arm. The corn was so high and the corn cobs were also as big as their arms. These were the best looking vegetables anyone had ever seen.

For days and days the veggies kept coming. They could not eat enough broccoli or potatoes. Their sandwiches at school were 5 inches thick with cucumbers and their mom was starting to get tired of the radishes. Their neighbours would walk by and marvel at their garden. Kieran and Delilah asked their Mom and Dad if they could share the veggies with their classmates and neighbours. There was enough for everyone, 

"Of course!" Their Dad said. "We can feed an army." 

The family set up baskets at the front gate with signs that said  - Take what you like but please thank the veggie patch before you go. It loves the encouragement!

This extra neighbour love, combined with the family's daily praise made the vegetable patch continue to grow food for their family and the neighbours for the whole Summer long. It was known all around.

When the next Spring came and it was time to lay out their garden again, they went up to the corner store. They asked Gloria if her sister Esther would be back again to sell her the extra special seeds.

"Hmmm. I'm not sure what you mean. I don't have a sister at all." She said puzzlingly.