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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 3 - Advanced)
Topic: AUTHORITY (04/14/22)
Peaceful Co-Existance

The melody of bird -song, the fragrance of flowers blooming, the coolness of the early morning breeze and the beauty of powder- puff clouds floating on a clear blue sky proclaim that spring has arrived. Earth shakes off her snow blanket and awakens to the warm touch of the sun's rays. Farmers are busy ploughing the land and sowing the seeds.

In my little garden I am busy too, digging the ground and scattering the fertilizer. This spring I plan to grow tomatoes, carrots and snap peas. Somewhere hidden nearby are small beady eyes watching me, as they wait for the harvest. Aware of their intentions, I have enclosed my garden with a strong fence and a gate complete with lock and key, confident that my harvest will be safe.

It was safe until the crops were were almost ready for harvest. And then it happened. One morning I opened the gate to water my plants. I couldn't believe the sight that greeted me. There on the ground lay a few half - eaten carrots and the scattered pieces of a large, ripe tomato ! There was no trace of the animal/ animals that caused this disaster. The fence was secure and the gate locked. How did they get in and out?

Later that day still pondering on the mystery, I stood on my balcony surveying my garden. Imagine my surprise, for there in the warm sunlight , lying on his back and warming his round and full belly, was a fat groundhog. With eyes half closed and lips slightly curved in a smile of deep satisfaction he was a picture of sublime happiness. If I wasn't so angry I would have burst out laughing. The audacity and arrogance of this little critter appalled me me. He had burrowed under the fence and entered the garden hidden under the thick foliage of the snap peas. How dare he?

I knew I was within my rights if I set a trap and caught him or poisoned and shot him dead. Had not God given me 'dominion over every living thing that moved upon the earth ? ( Genesis 1:28)' - I had to look that up in the Bible to justify my intention. But then there is another verse that says, 'and to every beast of the earth......wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat.(Genesis 1: 30)' Does that not mean that the groundhog has every right to my produce?

So now I had to device a plan of honoring both our rights and keeping our boundaries. Searching on the Internet, I found the answer. Spray the fruits with castor or neem oil. Plant mint, basil, oregano with the carrots. Spray the area with a mixture of water and cayenne pepper. Or best of all harvest before the animals get there!

Live and let live in peaceful co-existence. And may God bless us all.


( Bible references are from the King James Version).
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This article has been read 286 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Arlene Baker
04/21/22
This is cute and creative. Brought a smile to my face. I miss groundhogs since moving from Ohio to the south!

Wonderful hook!

To make this sizzle, however, turn as much passive verbs as possible into active. will add extra punch to the story.

Thanks for this piece. Truly enjoyable.
Marlene Custer 
04/24/22
Interesting and entertaining.
Philippa Geaney
04/25/22
Great contemplation and outcome. I enjoyed your word pictures and yes active verbs would have gone off with a pop 😀. No groundhogs dare take on active verbs- trouble is, I struggle to use that weapon myself.
I enjoyed you writing.
Anne Warden 
05/05/22
Shanta, what a great story! I had to chuckle at your solution to the groundhog. A well-deserved first place! Keep up the great storytelling.
(I'm glad you've moved up to the next level. Your writing is definitely improving, my friend.)