Tales From the Glades of Ballymore by Bob Brooks, Karen Ross Ohlinger

gardening.
     
    Petunia’s garden and orchard were extensive, covering almost three acres.  The garden was closest to the cottage.  She grew lettuce, corn, beans, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, strawberries, and more.  The orchard had apple, plum, and cherry trees.  It also had one very old and very large oak tree.  The first time she saw it, ten years ago, she named the tree “Old Seth”.  It was her favorite.
     
    The day was just right for gardening, mild with a light breeze.  She concentrated on the never ending task of weeding and debugging.  Weeds were predictable.  They popped up at regular intervals almost everywhere in the garden.  The soil was well cared for and quite soft, so the weeds were easy to remove.
     
    Bugs were another matter altogether.  They attacked in waves at unpredictable intervals.  She picked them, stomped them, shooed them, and sometimes bribed them away.  It was a battle of wits.  Petunia won most of the time, but the bugs gobbled their share of fruits and vegetables.  The garden and orchard were large enough so that there were plenty left for the Ballymore residents.
     
    It was lunchtime when Finn returned with the moles.  Their timing was good as everyone knew that Petunia Porcupine served the best lunch in Ballymore.  They had spinach salad with Russian dressing, egg salad on hot rolls, and vegetable soup.  For dessert there was strawberry shortcake with whipped cream.

 
     
    It would have been very tempting to nap after such a wonderful large lunch, but Finn’s excitement about HIS project eliminated that option.  Everyone but Sofie went out to the garden.
     
      Finn explained his idea in detail to the moles and Mrs. Porcupine.  “We can dig a hole here,” he explained.
     
    He was standing at the edge of the garden near the cottage.
     
    “It would be about five feet deep and one foot wide.  About four feet down, there would be a small tunnel that runs to the pond.  After the tunnel is dug, water from the pond would flow into it.  The water would fill the hole to the same level as the pond.  Mrs. Porcupine, then you could raise water from the hole with your bucket.”
     
    Finn was quite pleased with himself, but the group thought of some comments and questions.
     
    “We would have to make sure that the tunnel runs straight to the pond.  Tunnel directioning can be tricky,” said Merwin.
     
    “If I put the bucket in the hole, it will float and not fill with water.  I’ll have to push it down with a stick,” said Petunia.
     
    “If we dig the tunnel to the pond, the water will come in and flood us while we’re digging,” added Melrose.
     
    Finn didn’t want to admit that he hadn’t considered these points, and he thought quickly.
     
    “Mrs. Porcupine, you’re right, but it’s still a lot easier than carrying water from the pond,” he said.  
     
    “Very true,” she agreed.
     
    He looked at Melrose and said, “We won’t dig the tunnel all the way to the pond.  We’ll stop when we get close.  The hole can be finished from the pond side by Birch.  He has no problem with water,” Finn said.  
     
    Birch is a beaver, whom we will meet shortly.
     
    Finn didn’t have a good answer for Merwin’s tunnel direction comment.  Happily, for him, Merwin supplied the answer.  
     
    “If the tunnel isn’t too deep, our father puts rods down into the ground and uses them to line up our digging,” he said.
     
    “Great,” Finn said.  “Does anyone have any more comments or questions?”
     
    No one did.
     
    “We could start tomorrow if it’s okay with you, Mrs. Porcupine?” asked Finn.
     
    Petunia was not 100% convinced, but it sounded like a pretty good plan, and she agreed to proceed.
     
    “Hurrah!” said Finn.  “Hurrah!  Hurrah!” said Merwin and Melrose in unison.
     
    The next morning, Petunia rushed to the back porch as soon as she was dressed.  The seeds she left for the ants were gone, and the dish was turned