~~ ♠ ~~
Morning. We were already out in the garden.
My father's garden.
It wasn't as vast as the rice paddies. But you could find almost everything
here.
Banana trees stood at the far end. Nearby were orange and longan trees.
Then, rows of other plants.
Chili peppers. Tomatoes. Eggplants. Spinach. Long beans. Mung beans.
There were even watermelons and melons.
The garden felt incredibly lively. Not because of people. But because of the
colors.
The green of the leaves. The red of the tomatoes. The yellow of the flowers. And
the ceaseless chirping of the morning insects.
How did it get to be this much?
Because back then, my father gave us the freedom to plant whatever we pleased.
If we had fruit seeds. Plant them.
If we saw an interesting plant. Try planting it.
If it failed? Plant it again.
"Itsuki! Please turn on the diesel pump, it's time to water the plants!"
My mother's voice called out from the edge of the garden.
She held a harvest basket in her hand.
