Garden Work ~ As Viewed From Heaven

Every now and again I like to go through the collections of writings that I print out because, to me, they are worth keeping to read over and over. Here's one I'd like to share with you, an imaginary scenario between God and Saint Francis.

Garden Work ~ As Viewed From Heaven (tongue in cheek!)

God: Francis, you know all about gardens and nature; what in the world is going on down there in the U.K.? What happened to the dandelions, violets, thistles and the stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought, and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honeybees, and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colour by now. All I see are patches of green.

Saint Francis: It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. They are called the Surburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.

God: Grass? But it is so boring, it's not colourful. It doesn't attract butterflies, bees or birds, only grubs and worms. It's temperamental with temperatures. Do these Surburbanites really want grass growing there?

Saint Francis: Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it has grown a little, they cut it.... sometimes two times a week.

God: They cut it? Do they bale it like hay?

Saint Francis: Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.

God: They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?

Saint Francis: No sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.

God: Now let me get this straight.... they fertilize it to make it grow and when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?

Saint Francis: Yes, sir.

God: These Surburbanites must be relieved in the Summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.

Saint Francis: You aren't going to believe this Lord, but when the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.

God: What nonsense! At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the Spring to provide beauty and shade in the Summer. In the Autumn they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep the moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. Plus, as they rot, the leaves become compost to enhance the soil. It's a natural circle of life.

Saint Francis: You'd better sit down, Lord. As soon as the leaves fall, the Surburbanites rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.

God: No way! What do they do to protect the shrubs and tree roots in the Winter to keep the soil moist and loose?

Saint Francis: After throwing the leaves away, they go out and buy something called mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.

God: And where do they get this mulch?

Saint Francis: They cut down the trees and grind them up to make mulch.

God: Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. Saint Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?

Saint Catherine: 'Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a really stupid movie about.........

God: Never mind - I think I just heard the whole story from Saint Francis!

Anon

p.s. We know that grass when left to flower, does attract bees and butterflies..... for the sake of the parable, please ignore that little bit! :D