| The Garden Recital |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| The Garden Recital Once a year, at the end of the growing season and right at harvest time, comes the annual garden recital. All the vegetables, fruit and flowers from the garden had been rehearsing their acts for weeks. Just to make sure they were as perfect as perfect could be. It was the day before the recital. Every one pitched in to gather all the little garden chairs for the audience. They had rows and rows of them lined up just right so everyone could see. Of course it was standard practice to make sure all the little ones were set right up in front so they could see. �Lord Squash, Lord Squash� hellllllp!�, squealed Petra Petunia. �Oh my goodness,� Lord Squash said as he came running. �Whatever is wrong Petra?� Apparently he had quite enough problems of his own. �Lord Squash, Lord Squash. We have a biiiiig problem. We need to build a hill for the little one�s chairs,� she cried. Petra also repeated everything at least once. Poor Lord Squash was beside himself now. �Attention,� he bellowed. �All those who are not busy report to Petra Petunia immediately. Bring your wheelbarrows, we need to build the hill for the little ones,� adding very impatiently, �No dawdling.� All who were able surrounded Petra in no time. �Now, now, she cried. Please help me build the hill for the little ones. Time is running out.� First they all pushed, pulled and dragged mound after mound of dirt and finally the hill was high enough. Then it was flattened out for everyone to be able to see over the orchestra. They had tried one year digging a pit for the orchestra but it had rained and nearly drowned all the musicians. Their union had very strong words to say about that. The orchestra was all set up and was practicing religiously every moment they could find. There had been but one altercation and that was between the celery stalk, Clive, and the beetroot, Arthur. Clive played the clarinet and Arthur played the big brass kettledrums. Apparently Arthur's very necessary springboard was put in the way of Clive's special spot where he decided he should be. However, being as the spring board was most necessary for Arthur to be able to spring from to hit his drums it was decided Arthur had the advantage to using that spot. Finally, after that was settled they had started practicing all the numbers for the recital. There were 7 special songs including the national anthem of the garden, God Bless Mother Nature, to be played. The rehearsals seemed to go just fine until the butterflies ran into a little trouble with the starving cabbageworms. But Lord Squash laid his foot down. Please everyone, we must stay calm and get ready. It is almost time,� he demanded. The dress rehearsal was slightly chaotic but that was to be expected. It was total confusion when the butterflies tried to get into their fairy wings. Which was really hilarious and even Lord Squash, managed a smirk behind his moustache. The big night was here. All the fireflies were arranged in perfect rows to provide all the extra light. Jimmy, the youngest and most impatient just couldn�t sit still. He was driving every one crazy elbowing them. �Jimmy, stop that now and behave yourself,� bellowed Lord Squash. The gladiola doormen were dressed in their tuxedos taking the tickets at the door and showing people to their seats. When the chairs were almost filled to the brim the orchestra stood up. Emcee Lord Squash, who else but Lord Squash would do, asked everyone to stand for the anthem. All the men took off their hats and everyone sang in joyous loving voices. They all loved Mother Nature. �Let the show begin,� bellowed Lord Squash. The first number was The Dance of the SugarPlum Fairies. Only the fairies were the butterflies all dress up in beautiful blue chiffon tutus and sparkly antenna and wands. The fireflies turned their lights down low and the orchestra began. Everyone applauded at the spectacular beauty of the whole number and the butterflies received a standing ovation. Time for the second number to begin. Once again Lord Squash bellowed �The Cabbage Patch Picnic�. The orchestra began playing The Teddy Bears Picnic. Just as the cabbages big and small rolled on stage, through all the bushes and trees made into a forest. As quick as could be 8 cabbages, the boys in baseball caps and the girls in frilly aprons rolled onto the big blanket set up on stage. As they unloaded their picnic things they each took a turn singing a verse of the song. Which, in the end, turned out to be 8 long verses. That didn't seem to matter though. They also received a rousing standing ovation. Next it was the flowers turn. Beautiful tulips and daffodils and lily of the valley and bleeding hearts stood waiting at the side of the stage entrance. �Ladies and Gentlemen,� Lord Squash bellowed. �We now proudly present Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, starring all the beautiful flowers of the garden.� The flowers, all in shining black tap shoes did a wonderful rendition of the song for everyone. They even had the sprinkler running so there was rain. The spectacular silk umbrellas Farmer Ben�s wife had made them were beautiful. Once again, a very overwhelmed audience showered them with a standing ovation. After the stage was cleared and dried it was time for the next number. Lord Squash announced loudly, �The Seven Dwarfs.� And the music began. One by one they came marching onto the stage. Well, it was more like rolling-marching. Beets, big ones and small ones. All dressed in old fashioned sleeping caps. They were all struggling to carry their little spades on their shoulders. �Hi Ho Hi Ho,� they all sang as loud as they could. Everyone laughed and had such fun watching them follow each other. All of them were pretending to be working. Except that is for Sleepy beet. He was set upon a big fake boulder sound asleep. Oh yes and Dopey beet who seemed to be only able to trip over his feet. In any case they received many laughs and a resounding standing ovation. Finally it was time for the big finale. They had had a lot of trouble with this one of course but what is a good recital without some kind of trouble? This year it was decided there would be a tribute to Farmer Ben and his wife for taking such good care of the vegetables and the flowers. Lord Squash proudly took center stage. �Ladies and Gentlemen, time for the finale. This year we are honoring Farmer and Mrs. Ben. Please enjoy our rendition of Old Farmer Ben's Garden.� The orchestra struck up the tune. The lights were dimmed. All the performers came marching onto the stage. Everyone was singing at the top of their voices. Each participant had a sparkler in his hand and some were carrying the blue ribbons Farmer Ben had won at the country fair. It was a heart-rending performance and Farmer Ben and his wife were in tears at the end of it. At the end of the beautiful rendition and ear splitting applause Lord Squash walked on stage. �Farmer and Mrs. Ben please stand and come onto the stage.� They were presented with a big bouquet of beautiful flowers from the garden wrapped in a huge red ribbon. �Thank you very much everyone,� Farmer Ben said. �You have all made us very proud this year.� That was the end of the recital. The whole sky was suddenly lit up with fireworks. It was spectacular. The pussy willows had set them all around the garden and were left in charge of making sure everything went right. As every one admired the show Lord Squash walked up to the microphone. �Ladies and Gentlemen, this marks the closing of our recital. I wish you all a good night and a wonderful harvest.� This would be their last night together. After the harvest next week everyone would be taking their long vacation before spring arrived. The lights dimmed and the orchestra played We'll Meet Again as everyone joined hands and sang along. Jackie vanderHorst� |