Pat's winning story

Once Inside

Steven eyed his allotment. It was so overgrown as, due to the weather he hadn't been able to get out and start digging. Today the sun shone, so, where to begin.

Earlier he had walked past Mr. Perfect's plot. His neat rows stood to attention as if they were on parade. He rarely spoke, just nodded if you caught his eye.

Steven piled his tools in his ancient wheelbarrow and got to work. After an hour or so he felt someone watching, and slowly pulled himself up. Smiling at the stranger, who turned out to be a young lad, said "Hello, and what's your name?". "Um...its Joe" replied the lad. "and how old are you then?" "17 sir". No one had addressed Steven as Sir in many years. " are you helping someone?". " Not really. My father doesn't like me helping, he says I get in the way." Which one is your father?" he inquired. Of course, it had to be Mr. Perfect didn't it. Well, you are more than welcome to do some weeding and digging if you want something to do. Joe's face lit up. "Lets have a cup of tea first". He had all kinds of treats in his tiny shed that the Missus didn't know about.

"how do you know when to plant the seeds" asked Joe. Well. If you read the instructions on the packet, it tells you". Looking shame faced, Joe hung his head. "I'm not good at reading". He said. Steve wondered how a 17 year old had not been taught at school. "I was supposed to get special tuition but it never happened". He muttered. Do you know your letters? Look at that packet and see the big letters, the first one is B. E A. N, and S. Beans!". Joe read out each letter, BEANS. They spent the next hour or so going through all the seed packets. Steve couldn't understand as Joe seemed to pick it up quite fast.

Joe, Joe where are you?" came a loud voice. "don't annoy people when they are busy" Mr. Perfect said crossly. Joe's expression changed,down went his head and shoulders slumped as he joined his father.

The next day was lovely and sunny, so Steve decided he would get the whole bed dug over. He had barely begun when Joe showed up. My father isn't coming today, he said, " can I help you dig?".

Over the Spring and early summer months Joe learned every vegetable and fruit that Steve grew, and even printed some labels. Its amazing what a little encouragement can do, thought Steve.

One day some flyers were delivered to the allotment holders. Steve said "what’s it say then?" Joe briefly panicked, then slowly read out "Garden show in 2 weeks, bring your biggest and best." As he looked up smiling, Mr Perfect walked by. Staring at Joe he said" The school always said you were too thick to read, I think I'll have a word with them". Joe looked at him straight in the eyes " you would never listen to me Dad I tried to tell you" trailing off. This time it was Mr. Perfect's shoulders who slumped down as he walked back to his plot.

It was the big day. After the judges had finished the crowd surged towards the tent. Once inside they made their way to the vegetable tables. "Look" Joe exclaimed "1^st. Prize...and I can read it!!!