Seed Time

I decided that I was too tired to walk to the green house
so I hopped onto the broad back of the Big Boss donkey
and let him take me to the green house
where he was not allowed to go in so I sent him
out to gather all the sow thistle that was blooming in the paddock.

After wandering about in the misty green house, I found a huge
shelf of seed packets so I grabbed the first one I came to
and dashed back out into the fresh air.

As soon as the Boss had taken me to my room I found myself an old blue jar
and found enough fresh soil with suitable fertilizer (readily available near the thistle patch)
I dropped the whole packet of dark brown seeds into my jar
and set them on the veranda.

My bird had been watching
before I had time to settle back into my book I heard a tremendous, "Who? Who? Who?"
and ran to see what the fuss was about.
I couldn't believe my eyes for my seeds had not waited and huge green fronds and stems
were already spreading high above the jar. There was rustling among the leaves
and soft chattering. Looking up I found that to each stem a tiny green elf clung
calling, calling. " Who are you? Who are you? "called bird.
"Who? Who are you? " replied my elves in chorus.
"What am I to do? What am I to do? " I heard my own voice whispering.
"Blow gently, blow gently."
I blew and knew that in each and every room in the mansion
there will be an elf waiting to do what you ask
or to do some tiny elf mischief. Do keep your perfume bottles
well sealed my friends for even the best of the green elf clan
have a thirst for a drop now and then.
Remember to whisper when you
ask for a favour for their ears are delicate.

I thought that having a crowd of talking donkeys was a big job
but now, it appears, I am supposed to co-ordinate the activities
of a spread of gossiping elves. I can assure you, however, that
as all well-trained secretaries I shall not reveal any of your secrets
without your permission but you are certainly advised to keep on the good side
of any elf that decides to attach himself to you.
Signed with some trepidition, The Secretary of the Donkeys Union and Elf Superintendent