Friday, April 4

THE OLD MAN’S GARDEN

The overgrown garden stood sentient, surrounded by cement, chain link fencing, and brick walls. From the second story window of his house across the street, the withered old man looked down at the garden and sighed before returning to his bed. The door opened, and the old man’s son entered. When the son had finished spooning soup into his father’s mouth, he asked if there was anything else for him to do. The old man turned to him and, in a hushed voice, asked that he please go and tend to the garden.

The son, knowing how close his father was to death, took his word and went to the garden the next morning. He wrestled with the gate, which was bound by vines. When he got through the gate, he found himself in grass that reached his waist, and his ankles were constantly scratched by thorns. Everything in the garden was drooping, pulled down by weeds or ivy. The son exhaled, and then took the shovel he had over his shoulder and began to work. For months, the boy worked in the garden, constantly bent over vines he was pulling out of the ground, digging out the roots of the most invasive plants, and supporting and nursing every good plant that remained. Each day, the old man would look out of his window and smile before returning to his bed.

When the son’s work was finally completed, he placed a single mustard seed in the center of the garden. The father saw him do this through the window, smiled, and returned to his bed, still smiling. The boy went into the house, washed his hands, and went to go and tell his father that his work was completed. Upon entering the bedroom, however, he found that his father had breathed his last. Three days later, with tear stained cheeks, the son buried his father in the garden, beside the mustard seed.

Seven years later, the son stood with his wife and children, pushing the smallest on a swing that hung from the strong and healthy mustard tree. He glanced up at the second story window and assured his father that in the garden, all was well.

Lauren White 

Senior 

St. Johns College High School 

Washington, D.C.