The Community Garden

Tom had just joined the community garden, and on his first Saturday morning Rosa met him at the gate. “Welcome!” she said. “We have a few rules. First of all, you must close the gate behind you, because the rabbits adore our lettuces.”

She handed him a pair of gloves. “You must wear these whenever you touch the compost,” she said. “And you should water the plants in the morning, not at midday, when the sun is far too hot.” Tom listened carefully.

Next, Rosa pointed to a sign near the flower beds. “You mustn’t pick the flowers; they’re for the bees. And you mustn’t walk on the beds, so please use the paths.” “What about the tomatoes?” Tom asked. “You can take the red ones.”

Tom picked up a bucket and started work. Before long he spotted a huge red tomato, picked it and ate it on the spot. “Delicious!” he said. Then he noticed a green one, and Rosa raised an eyebrow. “You must wash them first,” she said, “and you must ask before you eat!” They both laughed.

At noon Mr Gus arrived with his dog. “I’m afraid you mustn’t bring dogs into the garden,” Rosa said kindly. Mr Gus smiled and tied the dog up outside. Tom now had a bucketful of tomatoes and very dirty hands. “I must remember all these rules,” he said.