continuation

Dawn arrived with the joyous chorus of birdsong, soon the inquisitive ones came and settled by the birds on it’s roof beam, it enjoyed their banter in good humour. Soon it was full daylight, the sun had risen, her golden rays gently spreading warmth with the promise of much more later.

It heard voices, they were coming towards it, it could see and older man and five sizeable young men. One was wheeling a barrow containing all sorts of gardening tools, the others too were laden with all manner of things. The old man had a large shiny steel padlock with a key, and a hasp fitting, it supposed this was to go on it’s door eventually.

The old man opened the double doors, and stepped back, “well lad’s, this is real craftsmanship, just look at the finish, this will last a great number of years. Cedar is such a hard wearing wood. Come on now, let’s get to work, getting these tools in place.”

One by one they entered and the old man told each of them where each tool should live. “order” he said, “good tools like these need to be put in order, like with like, and you lads be sure each is cleaned at the end of each day before it is put away.”

“Norris, your job is to ensure every tool is oiled weekly to keep them in the very best condition. Roddy, you are responsible for ensuring the blades and edges on everything are sharpened weekly, must keep a fine edge on them.”

When all the tools were stowed away to the old man’s satisfaction, they went into the garden to a bench, where they sat down and opened the packs they had each brought with them, eating their sandwiches and drinking their tea from thermos flasks. They sat gazing at it. “Master, certainly bought the very best, old Joe,” said Norris, “this one will see you out” he laughed.  “Eh, yes quality always shows out you youngsters, always remember, it’s not worth cutting corners to save a few pennies, quality is what counts.” the man called old Joe told them. “Master provides us with the very best tolls, and now a quality place to keep them, and in a few weeks the smaller one will arrive, the one for potting up in.” he added.