A touch of Gratitude on USA Thanksgiving Day.
Last Sunday I told the story in the children's segment in church. Seems everyone had a good time seeing a grown man laying eggs and blowing up his face like a frog. The kids were gorgeous. After I "laid" an egg, one little girl looked under my chair to see if I'd really done it. Then she announced to everyone that I wasn't a real chicken.
Priceless.
Anyway. It was my poem about Gratitude and I thought you'd like to reflect on it on America's big day of Thanks Giving. It's a crazy old world but there is a lot to be thankful for and to be motivated to wear the attitude on our faces. Interesting footnote to me is how I noted that I finished it off one snowy day when we lived for a time in Worthington, Ohio, so I left the original © on it.
THE GARDENER'S PETS
Most gardens begin with the planting of things
But this one began with stars and with rings
With sparks in the air and with flashes of light
A beautiful garden appeared in the night
There were roses and daisies and pansies and phlox
There were pebbles and sand and moss on the rocks
And a gurgling stream made its way through the grass
As it splashed and refreshed everything that it passed.
And the gardener who made it all felt very glad
But with no one to share it, he felt a bit sad.
So he said to himself, "I will make a friend
And we can be happy for days without end",
So with a wave of his hands and a sprinkle of light
He created a cat with fur black and white
With gorgeous big eyes and thick fluffy fur
His heart filled with joy when he looked down at her.
But she was so busy cleaning her coat
That never a thankful word passed from her throat.
And although he loved her, she didn't love him
I'm surprised that his patience didn't wear thin.
Instead of a grumble, a gripe or a growl
He waived in the air and created a fowl
A beautiful white leghorn chicken was she
As clucky and busy as chickens can be.
What with pecking for worms and with dusting for lice
You'd think that she'd settle, be still, once or twice
And look up and say with a cluck and a sigh
"I'm so glad you made me, I think I could cry."
But she was not grateful - just busy instead
So with a waive of his hands and some words that he said
The gardener created a large crocodile
I will tell you what he did and I think that you'll smile.
He shouted a lot and he growled and he grizzled
His bath was too cold and his food was too sizzled
He hated his bedtime and wouldn't get up
He wanted drink from a straw, not a cup.
Such a baby, you'd think would have time just to say
'I'm grumpy I know but I'm grateful today
For bringing me here and making me big.'
But he didn't! Each day he got worse and behaved like a pig.
So again the good gardener waved with his hands
And a frog seemed to be in one of his plans
But he sat there and blew up his face
And he wasn't thankful. What a disgrace.
He made wallabies, kangaroos, emus, and quail
He made parrots and lyre birds - even a snail.
But love them as much as he could day by day
Not one of them thanked him. They all turned away.
But when he made a small puppy his heart was delighted
For the puppy stayed closed and he seemed quite excited.
For wherever the gardener went so did the pup
And he stayed just like that, until he grew up.
I saw them together once, the dog and the man
And they were so happy, as if it were planned
They played and they ran and they worked close together
And the dog loved the gardener for ever and ever.
And I sometimes wonder in this world of ours
Where God made the creatures, the trees and the flowers
Why God's special creatures - people like me and you
Can't sit and be quiet and worship God too.
Those animals seem to be just like some folks
Too buzy or lazy or too full of jokes
To give God a thank you, or love Him and say
"I love you my Father, I'm thankful today."
© 1989 - Colin Pearce
140 Caren Ave Worthington OH 43085
My Kick in the Pants for you: Just for today, tell 5 people why you appreciate them – and while you're at it give the Good Gardener more than a passing nod for a change.
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