continuation

Lunches finished, they all looked to old Joe for the rest of their days work, once he had dispatched them all to their allotted chores, he went back into the tools. He looked around him, and was so delighted with what he saw, and the way in which everything fitted.

Taking down a hoe, he set off to a small bed close by, and began hoeing the weeds away. Old Joe had been the Head Gardener here at Grace Manor for nearly 40 years, he knew that soon it would be time for him to suggest his successor to his master, thinking all the while about his five young gardeners. Hoeing finished he returned to clean off the hoe and put it away. He was getting very tired these days, he turned over a large flower pot, sat on it and mused out loud the virtues and failures of each of the five young men.

Norris, a fine young man, took his responsibility well and always did as old Joe asked, but old Joe just knew he was not a natural, he never suggested or saw things that could or should be done.

Roddy, on the other hand was a natural, he was the smallest and youngest of the five. Yes he had fine ideas, some of them smiled old Joe totally impractical, but that showed innovation and that he thought ahead. Old Joe, did not think Roddy would be able to contain his natural exuberance, or indeed encourage the other lads under him. He needed a bit more age.

Jethro, well Jethro was an extremely likeable hard working young man, always did as he was asked, but he was a slow gentle soul, everything took him twice as long as the other lads. so Jethro would have to stay as he was.

Now Reuben, he was a very clever sort, knew his plants inside out, and he had an eye. However though Old Joe, he was prone to being exceedingly arrogant, and putting the backs of the others up. He was not ready to be put in charge, no  he needed to grow and mature like the plants did.

That just left Sam, oh yes thought old Joe, Sam, he had a way about him of diffusing awkward situations as they arose between the other lads, he was both balanced and fair. He was also a very good gardener. He would keep things running well and he would continue to develop this garden.

Feeling more content than he had for days, having made his decision, old Joe went to the doors, gently smoothing them, You’ll help Sam, I know you will.