continuation

Old Joe called the lads in, they came from all areas of the garden, bringing their tools in, they each cleaned theirs and then put them away, pleased their long day was over. Old Joe, closed the doors, put the shiny steel padlock into the hasp that Sam had fixed earlier, locked it and off they all went home for the day.

When it was sure it was all alone, it sighed and mulled over everything Old Joe had shared with it, he was right Sam would be the best choice. It wondered how it could show overall approval for Old Joes choice, it would have to think that through.

Days, weeks, months and years passed. Old Joe and his lad’s coming daily for tolls and then tending the garden. One day, it was waiting, but no-one came, this it thought was very unusual, it waited and waited for Old Joe to arrive but no one came. Night fell and it had seen no one, it worried, there must be something wrong. It slept very fitfully that night, taking little if any notice of the birds when they arrived, until one fat robin, who had befriended it and was a resident in the garden, told him Old Joe had died, and the master had given the lads the day off. It was saddened by this news, but knew, the garden, the tools and it would be in Sam’s safe hands now.

Eventually the five arrived, Sam in the lead, with  Old Joes key in his hand, he opened up and they all got out their tools as Sam told each of them their job for the day. Sombrely they all went off in all directions and started the long days work.

Slowly the years past, Sam grew into a fine man, married and had a family of his own, he would often bring the children to help him in the garden. They enjoyed this as each had their own small garden patch for which they were responsible. Ellen grew carrots and salad, whereas John her older brother seemed intent on growing small alpine plants in delicate hues. The children enjoyed cleaning the tools, especially as it helped Sam, who  now had  Jethro to help him. Jethro was still slow but a very willing and hard worker. The other three had disappeared their own ways in the intervening years.