Stevie
Nelson had been a gardener for thirty years. His
whole life had been centred around daffodils,
crocuses and hollyhocks. The Williams family,
who had employed him for the past few years, had
not been very kind or thoughtful towards him,
making him work long hours for very little pay.
They also forced him to grow vegetables which
he hated. 'I want you to dig up all those stupid
flowers,' Mr Williams told him. 'They're useless
and a waste of good vegetable space.' Stevie's
heart sank into his Wellington boots. His precious
flowers to be torn from their roots like a load
of weeds; it was more than he could bear.
A whole year passed. Then an advert appeared in
the local paper:
GARDENER RETIRING:
ALL VEG. ON SPECIAL OFFER:
COME AND PICK YOUR OWN...
Well. Hoards of people fell on the place and paid
Stevie well for his marvellous crops. They were
seen staggering under the weights of carrots,
potatoes, cauliflowers and the like.
Stevie made a good profit which was his compensation
for all the money he'd spent growing his own flowers
over the years.
Somewhere there lies a meadow which, every spring,
becomes a carpet of daffodils, tulips, pansies
and giant hollyhocks. It was Stevies present to
the People.
by Sylvia Crèche
Author of the Mervyn Mouse
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