Chapter Eleven - Waking Dream
The real world finally settled down, as the Farmer decided to focus more on her own business than worrying about anyone else’s. Queen Agra noticed that she was spending more time in the barn, making things, and singing around the farm. It was time to have the conversation about the latest Grousing Day.
Early one morning, just as the sunrays were just starting to reach through the woods, Queen Agra went through the Veil and flew into the Farmer’s bedroom. She saw her sleeping soundly but she knew that once the sun was fully up, so would be the Farmer.
“Good morning, my friend,” said the fairy, ever so softly into the ear of the sleeping woman. “I need to tell you what the forest is worried about, and I told them I would talk to you about them. You don’t need to answer if you don’t want. If you do, then you can reach out through your heart and we can have a conversation.”
The Farmer muttered softly. It wasn’t something any human would understand, but Queen Agra understood it to mean “okay.”
“ Everyone is worried about the cars speeding on the road in front of the farm. We know that much of that is beyond your control, but Sir Assinine and the Pigja have been trying to slow the cars down, without your help. Sir Assinine’s brays are making cars slow down, but the knights would like to try and convince the townspeople that the street is haunted. I hope that doesn’t bother you, but I have to give the chance to try.”
There was no response from the sleeping farmer, so the Fairy Queen continued.
“ Sir Lagamorph spoke with the seed eaters and they had a few main concerns. First is the number of cats, but I’ve already made an agreement with the felines, so I think that is settled. The animals were also worried about the increase in the number of bears. I understand you have taken in the bird feeders, but it’s making it hard for the seed eaters to find food. “
At that the Farmer spoke up quietly “I have no control over the bears and other predators. I take the bird feeders in so they will be available in the winter. There should be plenty of food in the wild for them all.”
“I know, but some of the little ones are afraid to get out and search. Could you plant some small flower beds, near the ground, and build some brush piles, so they can hide but still find food?,” asked the Queen.
“I can do that. I’ve started using a different type of gardening, which does just that. I will be planting on top of brush piles, so they will be able to safely find their meals. The piles will shrink over time, as the soil reclaims them, but the flowers and vegetables should be well established by then, so there should be ample food,” explained the human.
“The other worry is that finding water is difficult this year. You and your partner have filled the puddles in the driveway, and the old watering holes have filled in. It has been a very dry year, so finding standing water is a challenge.”
The Farmer sighed, “That’s not something I can really control. The weather is the weather, and we face the same challenges. But, I can try to make sure the vernal pool remains full, as much as possible. Gunny, our dog, likes to muck around in the water, which keeps it from filling in.”
“The whole planet is having to adjust to different weather, and as it does, we will all find ways to adjust as much as we can. We’re putting up in rain barrels. The hügelkultur piles that I just explained, will also help hold water for the soil. You wild animals can dig little ponds under the brush, and catch water there. I try to make sure all my farm animals have water all the time, but I will try to over flow the troughs a bit, so there’ll be standing water around the troughs. Does that help?”
“I hope so. I know the planet is having trouble. I hear from the spirits about the struggles around the world, but I can only speak up for the nature that lives here. I will tell them what you are doing. Thank you so much for trying,” answered Queen Agra.
“I have also heard from the creatures of the soil. My knight tells me that their babies are getting harmed by hard shards that appear near the road. I know it’s not you doing it, but other humans are just throwing things out, and as they break up they make these little bits.
Is there anything you can do about that?”
“Oh, plastic is a real problem. I try to pick it up when I find it, but sometimes it breaks apart before I can get to it. “
“I understand. For now I’ve told my creatures to stay away from the road, because you and your family are very careful about using plastic on the farm. But that won’t last forever. Is that all that can be done?” asked the Fairy.
“That’s a start. I will try to make a tunnel that will allow the animals to move around safely, but I can’t cross the road. I can ask the townsfolk, but they really don’t understand the problem,” explained the Farmer.
“ The sky creatures and tree dwellers are concerned about balloons and fishing line. Is there anything you can do about that?”
“No, I’m afraid that’s not something I can do anything about right now. I can ask at the next Town Meeting about banning balloons, but I don’t think that’s going to go well. I can put up signs asking that balloons stay off the farm. But the wind brings them in, and I can’t stop everyone. As for fishing lines, we live pretty far from fishing areas, so it’s not nearly what it could be,” explained the frustrated farmer. “
The sun had risen above the trees, so the dreamtime was coming to an end. Queen Agra really didn’t want to be seen in the real world, so she began to wrap up the conversation.
“I’ll be back in a few days. I can see that you are about to start your waking day. Please know that we really do appreciate how lucky we are to have you as our human. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful. I’m just the spokesfairy for all of nature. I’ll leave you now. Thank you.”
At that the Farmer fluttered her eyes, opening them up for just a little while. She thought she saw a stream of light darting out the door, but she couldn’t be sure. She stood up, looked outside to see if anyone else was around, and then began her day.
She started the tea kettle and turned to her partner, “I get the feeling that we need to speed up the hügelkultur beds. Will you help me gather more brush?”
He nodded and ate his breakfast.
“ Do you think people would be respect a sign if I put one up that said “We share this land. Please leave nothing behind, and take some time to enjoy the quietude.”
“I don’t think they’ll take the time to read it,” he said. “Maybe if you just say ‘We are not alone,’ with a picture of a chipmunk, people might pay a bit more attention.”
“That’s a good idea. I think I’ll put a bunch of little signs with different creatures on them, reminding the passersby of who they share the land with.”
“It’s worth a try, but I wouldn’t count on it,” he replied.
So the Farmer sat down to make little signs, and placed them along the road. They were made of wood, and could be repainted over and over. It was a good place to start. Maybe she could sleep better after doing that.
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