Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: WILD (11/16/17)
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TITLE: Jan's Jungle. | Previous Challenge Entry
By Danielle King
11/23/17 -
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Tommy will be here soon. He likes to call before dark in order to safely navigate my ‘jungle.’ There’s a well-trodden route from the stump of the gate- post to my door. He’s the only one who uses it, bless him.
Tommy’s a bit of a simpleton, or so people say, though the lad’s got a heart of gold. Unlike my neighbours, he never judges, or condemns; in fact I’ve never heard him utter a bad word.
I snuggle further into my new coat. There’s a real nip in the air and I tuck my feet beneath me in the chair. The nights are drawing in early this year.
Here he comes; my word, he almost tripped over the remnants of the gate. He needs to be more watchful.
“Hello Jan,” he calls. “It’s only me.”
“I know it’s only you,” I reply. “Who else comes to visit this silly old woman?”
“I’ve brought you something nice,” he grins, patting his jacket pocket. “New in this afternoon.” He pulls out a hand knitted tea cosy. “It’s to keep your ears warm this winter,” he says.
“Tommy, you’re a star,” I tell him, reaching for my purse. I suppose a tea cosy and a woolly hat look pretty much the same to a man. “Are you enjoying working at the charity shop?”
“Jan, I love it.” I see the pride shining in his eyes. “And all the other volunteers are super.”
“So, does this mean I’m going to lose my trusted odd job man?” I tease. He looks at me in disbelief. I quickly add that I don’t know how I’d cope alone.
“Don’t worry Jan,” he says reassuringly. “I’m always here for you.”
The following morning Betty next door was pegging out washing. “Nice drying weather,” I call. I hear ‘tut-tut’ and nothing more. I like to wind her up. It bugs her to know her acid tongue has no effect on me whatsoever. “You’re welcome to pick my apples over your side.” I call. “And the blackberries; Make your Jimmy a lovely pie.”
She stormed indoors and slammed the door. Humph! That’ll teach her to report me to the council. I don’t understand why folk get so hung up about a few overgrown trees and a compost heap or two.
“Janet,” Mary called from the other side. “I’m seeing an increase in rats lately.”
“Really?” I reply. “They’re cute little things, don’t you think? I love the natural world. Do you?”
“I think you should contact Vermin Control,” she says. “They’re a health hazard.”
“Oh, Mary,” I reply. “I can’t instigate a mass murder of God’s little creatures.”
I live in a weird neighbourhood. I’m a great believer in live and let live. I never judge anyone else’s way of life. If they choose to spend their days spraying weed killer and chopping back hedges, then so be it. Personally, I prefer to sit on my veranda and commune with the bees and the butterflies, flitting around my pollinator heaven.
I have frogs too, though the pond is hidden beneath a multitude of algae.
Ah well, each to their own, as the saying goes. Time’s knocking on. Tommy will be calling soon.
Here he comes, bless him. Oh, he’s managed to trip this time. Never mind, he’ll remember tomorrow. “I’ve brought you a present, Jan,” he tells me.
“Ooh, I can’t remember when anyone last gave me a gift,” I say.
From a tattered shopping bag he unceremoniously pulls out a wooden plaque and hands it to me. It reads, ‘Janet’s Jungle.’ “Someone dropped the plaque off at the shop,” he says. “And the manager helped me fix new letters on. Happy birthday.”
“Tommy, you are a gem.” I dab a tear drop from my cheek. “You restore my faith in human nature.”
Together, we secure the plaque to a tree trunk by where the gate once stood. It’s to welcome all creatures; animal or human, great and small, to call in and rest awhile from the pressures of a world gone mad.
Simplicity, not complexity. Resting, not striving. Simply being who God made us to be.
Tommy and me sit by the kitchen door. We munch digestive biscuits and sip tea until after dark.
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