Once upon a time, there was a girl who loved to read. She read -- and had -- books on just about everything, and there was a hardly a topic she didn't enjoy exploring. As her collection of books grew, so did her knowledge of many things. But most of all, she loved reading for its own sake. And for her own, of course.
One day, without so much as a wave of a Fairy Godmother's magic wand, a Prince appeared on the horizon. He was a well-read Prince, in both respects of the phrase. He told the girl all about his Magic Kingdom (which she, by no small coincidence, had already read about), and then offered her something he'd been holding in the palm of his hand.
"What's this?" she asked.
"Your key to a corner of my Kingdom," he replied in regal fashion.
He took her by the hand, and led her to a small garden in a tiny corner of Recitopia. Inviting her to stay, he stipulated that all she needed to do was tend the garden, which he had already named "The Last Morsel." Both the Prince and the offer were too enticing to refuse, so she accepted the key, gathered all her tools, and moved to Recitopia that very day.
Today, the garden is lush and growing beyond its original boundaries. It is lovingly tended to, and thrives on the wisdom of the ages. It will never ever be barren because the girl who lives there will never ever stop reading.
The Prince (also reputed to be an excellent chef) and the girl who loves to read are living happily ever after.
[Editor's Note: Barbara Forsythe has acquired her "gardening" skills over many years and in many different fields. She cut her working world teeth in retail and in restaurants. She has taught high school English and adult school Calligraphy. She has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology and has worked as a psychotherapist. She fantasizes about someday being an artist. Her newest hobby is making Stained Glass. Her favorite and finest accomplishment to date has been loving and raising her three children. Her most self-indulgent pastime is spending as many hours as possible with the newest blossom in her garden, Bailey. Her most fervent wish is to line every wall of her house with very sturdy bookcases.]
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