My little paradise
Lying on the meadow and enjoying the birds` concert, I am wholly immersed in the relaxing holiday. The grass underneath carries the softness of my bed, like a posh piece of velvet. A breeze filled with fresh smell of mud and tiny fragrance of blossoms evoked the reminiscence of my time spent in my grandparents` house and garden, my childhood paradise. From then on, I have never thought there is any place in the world like that small but splendid garden beside their house.
The weather had never been cool. Eating watermelons seemed to be the best way to evaporate the heat, so watermelons never failed to fascinate me. I stared at the watermelons while my mother cut them up. As soon as the knife was away enough from the watermelons that there was no danger of the knife-edge, I would snatch as many pieces as my small palms could hold, and began to gorge down the flesh greedily. However, since I devoured without noticing the seeds, I suddenly realized that terrible circumstance and exclaimed with terror.
“Mom, I swallowed the seeds!”
“Oh.” She answered in a monotonous voice.
“What if I died?”I asked fearfully.
“You will not die because of the tiny seeds.” She replied me indifferently.
“Then what will happen to the seeds in my stomach?” I insisted.
“It will germinate and grow into a big watermelon. “She answered me earnestly.
Her answer was like a spark that kindled my interest. Instead of worrying how I could possibly get the irritating seeds out of my stomach, I had a brand new idea.
After we had finished eating watermelons, I offered to clean the table. The elderly must have thought that I had finally grown up, so they must have been extremely willing to pass the chore to me. Then I could start my exploration.
As expected, they all complimented me for my “filial and decent” behavior. I collected the rubbish and pretended to throw it away. However, when I was out of their sight, I carefully collected, packed and kept the seeds. I could hardly contain my restless excitement for my first-step accomplishment.
It is our habit to take a siesta after lunch, but I sneaked out to the garden. Armed with a stolen spade, I started my work. Digging a small hole in the ground, I dropped all the seeds into it. After covering the hole with soil, I used my bottle to water my “plant”. Mom told me that the seeds would grow up in my body, so all the better it should grow in the soil. I put them together so that they would not feel lonely when they were growing underground. And since mom told me that the water in my bottle was “healthy”, it would provide my watermelons with enough nutrition-all very nice indeed.
Mission accomplished. I felt proud of my idea and expected to get many big watermelons the next day. For me, it was quite a possible result I should get. Then I tiptoed back cautiously, put away the spade surreptitiously and got back to bed stealthily. The good nap with a wonderful dream made me more confident of my experiment. The following days, I kept walking into the garden and searched if there were shoots.
I never lost my interest in exploring the small garden. It was like a heaven with all world`s intrigues. From the fragrant and beautiful blossoms to fresh green apples, from the tiny ant holes to exquisite swallows` nests, from straight maize stalks to muddy potatoes in the soil, the small paradise was a refuge of peaceful lives. I traced the ants trail to find their home, fed the hen with my own food and even tested how echoes formed in the wells. I felt a sense of belonging to the nature. I enjoyed the time in my small paradise. When will the seeds grow up to watermelons? Why was the hen walking tirelessly while nodding its head? How did the ants successfully transport their huge food? My mind brimmed with curiosity.
I still harbored the silly conviction that these seeds would once day grow up to watermelons, even as I left my grandparents`. I learnt the important lesson of questioning and exploring – however silly it might seem. The small paradise provided me with the impetus to love nature and be curious. Up to now, I am still interested in questioning things around me. My life is always filled with curiosity and multiple answers. Life is a garden awaiting exploration.
