The Fruit of Dissapointment

The Fruit of Disappointment In my garden there is a tree that I planted when it was new, It was just a tiny sapling then and grew and grew and grew. But on this tree, although very high, of fruit there were far too few 'Till an ancient gardener spoke to me and told me what to do. He said, “Find a nest of the Scritch Scratch bird and take a twig or two And make a posset of Dwindle Weed and a pot of Norridge stew.” I found Dwindle Weed and a Norridge Plant for the recipe he knew And with the gathered twigs around the tree a circle I then drew. Into the circle, as the old man told, the mixture I then threw. “Now,” he said, “You must wait a year and there'll be fruit for you.” “Fifty pounds is all I need, then I'll return when the fruit is due.” No fruit set upon that tree and for many years was overdue. The ancient gardener did not return and so I thought, “I'll sue.” But the gardener was never found, or the fifty pounds I blew. Barry Stebbings 29/10/16