The Root Gnome

There was a light frost again last night, so Nicholas and I went outside this afternoon to pick what was left of the garden at our house in case it were to freeze tonight.  The peppers and tomatoes looked fabulous.  The remaining few sunflowers looked ready enough to take off.  A couple of smaller corn were ready to come in too.  And then there was that one carrot, that stubbornly grew where the rest of the seeds we planted (twice) didn't even manage to sprout.  Yes, we wanted to see what was under that leafy top.  So we decided to pull it, even though we knew the frost wouldn't damage it.

Before Nicholas reached down to grab around that green top, I asked him if he would like to ask the root gnome to let us pick the carrot.  But he's too old to believe in root gnomes and went ahead without asking for the gnome's blessing.  And he pulled.  And he pulled.  And eventually the leafy green top came off and the carrot remained firmly rooted in the ground.

I asked him if we should ask the root gnome to let us pick the plant, and again he ignored me.  For now, a couple of friends had arrived to oversee the fun.  Nicholas pulled and he pulled.  This time, the carrot broke in half.

I went to fetch the gardening fork and he went to get the spade. Eventually, we got the rest of the carrot out easily - it's the biggest carrot I've ever grown in my life (which really isn't saying much)!  And now, it sits proudly in our kitchen, waiting for us to eat it tomorrow.

Now you may ask, who is the root gnome?  The root gnome is a character in a story about working together cooperatively that we've told to our children.  The original is in Healing Stories for Challenging Behaviour.  Here's our version of it:

Benjamin's Turnip

Benjamin wanted to have a turnip lantern for the fall festival.  So, he planted the turnip seeds, watered them carefully and weeded around his turnip so it would have room to grow.  And grow it did!  It was a fine-sized turnip by the time autumn's leaves began to fall to the ground.  The turnip was just the right size for his lantern.  So he went out to the garden to pull it out.  He grabbed hold of the turnip and pulled and pulled and pulled.  But the turnip wouldn't budge.  Just then, Benjamin's mother came out to the garden.

"Mama, will you help me pull my turnip so that I can make my lantern?  I've tried but it just won't budge," said Benjamin.

"Of course," replied Mama.  Mama put her arms around Benjamin's waist, Benjamin wrapped his hands around the turnip and they pulled and pulled and pulled.  Still, it would not budge.  Just then, Grandpa came out to the garden.

"Grandpa, will you help us pull my turnip so that I can make my lantern?  We've tried but it just won't budge," said Benjamin.

"Yes, of course," answered Grandpa.  Grandpa put his arms around Mama, Mama put her arms around Benjamin, and Benjamin wrapped his hands around the turnip.  Together, they pulled and pulled and pulled.  Still, it would not budge.  As they collapsed to the ground, exhausted, Rabbit hopped into the garden. 

"Rabbit, will you help us pull my turnip so that I can make my lantern?  We've tried but it just won't budge," said Benjamin.

"Yes, of course," replied Rabbit.  Rabbit grabbed hold of Grandpa, Grandpa put his arms around Mama, Mama put her arms around Benjamin, and Benjamin wrapped his hands around the turnip.  Together, they pulled and pulled and pulled.  Still, it would not budge.  As they released their tired arms, Mouse skittered into the garden. 

"Mouse, will you help us pull my turnip so that I can make my lantern?  We've tried but it just won't budge," said Benjamin.

"Yes, of course," replied Mouse.  Mouse grabbed hold of Rabbit, Rabbit grabbed hold of Grandpa, Grandpa put his arms around Mama, Mama put her arms around Benjamin, and Benjamin wrapped his hands around the turnip.  Together, they pulled and pulled and pulled.  Still, it would not budge.  They released one another in despair, wondering how to get the turnip out of the ground.  Just then, Caterpillar crawled into the garden. 

"Caterpillar, will you help us pull my turnip so that I can make my fall lantern?  We've tried but it just won't budge," said Benjamin.

"Yes, I will help," replied Caterpillar.  "Have you asked the Root Gnome to give you the turnip?"

"The Root Gnome?  Who is the Root Gnome?"  Benjamin wondered out loud.

"The Root Gnome holds all the plants in place.  Ask him and you may get your turnip in time for the fall festival," Caterpillar responded.

So Benjamin knelt down and tapped gently on the turnip.  Soon, the earth beside the turnip opened up and out popped the head of a tiny little man.  "Yes," the tiny little man said.  "What would you like?"

"Are you the Root Gnome?" asked Benjamin.

"Yes, I am.  And I'm right tired.  I've been working very hard to keep this turnip here right where it belongs.  It's felt like elephants have been trying to pull it out of the ground!" the Root Gnome responded.

"I'm sorry, Root Gnome,"  Benjamin replied.  "It has been me pulling on the turnip.  I'd like to use it to make my lantern for the fall festival.  Can I please pull it?"

"Of course!" the Root Gnome laughed.  "All you had to do was ask.  Here, let me go back, and I'll help you." 

"Thank you," said Benjamin.  The earth closed in where the Root Gnome had been.  Then, Caterpillar grabbed hold of Mouse, Mouse grabbed hold of Rabbit, Rabbit grabbed hold of Grandpa, Grandpa put his arms around Mama, Mama put her arms around Benjamin, and Benjamin wrapped his hands around the turnip.  Together, they pulled and the turnip popped right out of the ground!  Caterpillar went tumbling backwards.  Mouse landed on Caterpillar, Rabbit landed on Mouse, Grandpa landed on Rabbit, Mama landed on Grandpa, and Benjamin landed on Mama, holding the prized turnip in his hands.

"Is everyone alright?" asked Benjamin anxiously, still holding the turnip in his hands.  And yes, everyone was indeed alright.  Benjamin thanked all those who had helped him. Then, he and his mother went inside and made the turnip lantern.  It was the loveliest lantern Benjamin had ever seen and he proudly carried it to the fall festival.

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