The Community Garden

Tom is new at the community garden. On Saturday morning, Rosa meets him at the gate. “Welcome!” she says. “We have a few rules. First, close the gate. The rabbits love our lettuces.”

She gives him gloves. “Wear gloves when you work with the earth,” she says. “And water the plants in the morning, not at midday. The sun is too hot.” Tom listens.

Rosa points at a sign near the flowers. “Don’t pick the flowers,” she says. “They are for the bees. And don’t walk on the beds. Use the paths.” “And the tomatoes?” Tom asks. “You can take the red ones.”

Tom gets a bucket and starts to work. Soon he sees a big red tomato. He picks it and eats it. “Mmm!” Then he sees a green one. Rosa looks at him. “Wash it first, and ask before you eat!” They both laugh.

At noon, Mr Gus comes with his dog. “No dogs in the garden, please,” Rosa says kindly. Mr Gus smiles and ties the dog outside. Tom has a bucket of tomatoes and dirty hands. “I can’t forget these rules,” he says.