[Kurt]

Grandpa Billy vs the Blue-Haired Marchies<br clear=”none”>(A children’s permaculture tale)

In a village nestled amidst rolling hills, lived Grandpa Billy, a man with an unorthodox vision. He dreamt of transforming a barren and denuded landscape into a flourishing food forest, where diverse plants would thrive together.

As Grandpa Billy toiled under the sun, the Marchies arrived, their goblin-like figures and bright blue hair that stood out in contrast to their green, scaly hides. Their eyes regularly glinted with mischief, and their lips curled into smirks as they cast skeptical glances.

“These little saplings won’t survive, you fool!” they taunted, walking by. “Only chemicals can make things grow! Everybody knows that!”

Undeterred by their negativity, Grandpa Billy persevered. With his hands in the soil, he planted seeds of determination, nurturing them with patience. The earth felt cool and crumbly beneath his fingers, carrying great potential for life if well cared-for.

Trees began to take root and rise taller with each passing season, their branches spreading wide, casting a cool shade over the land. The rustle of leaves filled the air as a gentle breeze whispered through the forest-to-be. Plants flourished, weaving a tapestry of colors and scents that enticed the senses. The aroma of blooming flowers mingled with the chocolatey soil’s earthy scent. Grandpa Billy’s garden was becoming a haven, a testament to his care and dedication.

The Marchies observed from the shadows, growing doubt in their former claims turning skepticism into bitterness. They watched as the garden’s soil, once lifeless, now teemed with activity – everything from microbes to earthworms bustling beneath the surface, creating a harmonious dance of life known as the soil food web.

“Ha! Soil food web?” the Marchies laughed mockingly. “Only chemicals can make things grow! Everybody knows that!”

But Grandpa Billy knew better. He explained to all who were willing to listen the delicate balance of nature, how each creature played a vital role in sustaining the soil, and in turn, the plants. The Marchies scoffed, their stubbornness as sturdy as the trees’ ever-deepening roots.

Then one day, as often happens in nature, a blight struck the land. As the villagers watched their monoculture fields succumb to the blight’s relentless advance, they got so desperate they began to wonder if they were going to have to resort to eating insects.

Yet while villagers went hungry, the garden Grandpa Billy had nurtured stood strong and resilient. Billy found plenty of abundance from his garden to share with his poor neighbors. When they asked how he had ever managed this miracle, he was all too happy to share his knowledge with them.

The Marchies watched as the villagers savored the delicious food. The colors and aromas filled the air, their senses overwhelmed by the abundance. The laughter of children, the clinking of utensils, and the joyous chatter painted a scene of unity and abundance.

The starving Marchies felt a pang of hunger. Their stubborn pride clashed with the undeniable truth before them – Grandpa Billy’s locally-adapted and biodiverse garden had been immune to the blight’s devastation.

Despite their rumbling bellies, the Marchies remained steadfast in their skepticism. Grandpa Billy’s lessons and the garden’s bountiful proof couldn’t pierce their pride. Grandpa Billy’s wisdom was undeniable, yet the starving Marchies clung to their doubts to the bitter end.

The garden continued to flourish, a living testament to resilience and unity for years to come. Thanks to the lessons learned through hard times, it was only one of many food forests in the area now.

And so, the story of Grandpa Billy vs the Blue-Haired Marchies shows us that the most stubborn hearts can be blind to the truth, even in the face of undeniable evidence. However, his garden stands as a valuable example of the power of nature’s resilience and the wisdom of those who listen to its teachings.

[Tentance-KnottyPots]

Use dream by wombo and a simple picture editing app to create an illustrated story of your work. Keep in mind that some of the concepts will need to be edited and explained, kids don’t know what monoculture, soil food web, or biodiversity is. This is, sadly, a failing of our education system.

[Kurt]

(P.S. I have no idea what to do with this now. Hopefully somebody enjoys.)

[EvW]

Like it!

[c563]

Very cool. Maybe Billy could put it on his website

[AWC]

Sounds like a very plausible fairy-tale version of Perma Pastures Farm.

[ChiHomestead]

OMG, have it illustrated and turn it into a Children’s book to teach them about gardening, permaculture, and life sustainability! I loved this story!

It could be a children’s play, definitely use it for Children’s story hour when Mags meet.