One September day, as I was walking past an enormous sunflower garden, filled with the most beautiful golden-yellow sunflowers, I suddenly heard a slight humming sound. Peaking my curiosity, I stepped a bit closer to investigate the sound.
It wasn't easy though! The happy humming was buried deep into the field of flowers, so I had to push my way quietly through the giant green forest of leaves and tall stalks.
Listening, I finally located the humming. Standing before me, on a large sunflower leaf, was a tiny creature. I leaned in a bit to get a better look, and to my great surprise, the little creature turned out to be, what I would have described as a Bumblegnome!
Seeming not to notice me, she worked diligently, painting the beautiful golden-yellow onto the sunflowers petals. With every stroke, the petals shimmered in the last light of the day.
As I watched her work, I began to feel worried that I might startle her if she happened to notice me standing there. So, I softly cleared my throat and whispered a gentle, “Hello.”
Her humming abruptly stopped and she quickly turned toward me with her paintbrush held out like a small sword. Quickly, I raised my hands high, stammering out…“I come in peace!”
The little Bumblegnome lifted her hat slightly higher off her head and looked at me with a good long stare, calculating whether I was friend or foe.
Coming to the realization that I was harmless, she dropped her guard and said, “Hello. And who might you be coming to spy on me?” To which I replied, “Me? Oh! My name is Tina. I’m sorry to disturb you, but when I heard you humming, my curiosity peaked and I had to locate the tune. May I ask your name?”
“No! You may not! But since you did, I will tell you. I’m Trevi the Bumblegnome and I have lots of petals to paint before the sunsets! So if you would please be on your way and let me get back to my work, I would really appreciate it…thank you!”
“Oh! Forgive me! I didn’t mean to cause you any grief. I will leave you to your work.”
I slowly turned and made my way out of the sunflowers. Trevi’s words, leaving a small sting on my ears. Wondering to myself if Trevi was always so blunt, or if I had caused her to feel anxious and she was being guarded in my presence. Most likely the latter.
So, word to the wise…If you find yourself walking along a garden filled with beautiful golden-yellow sunflowers and you hear a faint humming of a Bumblegnome, continue on your way. Take my word for it!
