Another Story

For Toblerusse, because I think you have kids, and you liked the last one :)

This is the story of old Mr. Mees
The greatest grower of tasty veggies
His carrots were sweetest
His beets were the beetest
And they sold at the lowest of fees.

In the town where Mr. Mees resides
(and where, consequently, his farm abides)
The people were harmonious
But rather parsimonious
Making money their greatest of prides

So Mr. Mees sold his veggies for less
And was rather poor, I must confess
But as long as his buddies
Enjoyed his potuddies
He was fine with his modest success.

You’re probably asking “why’d his veggies taste better?”
The sun wasn’t warmer, the ground wasn’t wetter
Well I’ll tell you all why
With no word of a lie
And it has nothing to do with the weather.

When Mr. Mees plants his tomato,
His pea pod, his pepper, and his potato
He’ll sing them this song
“Grow up big and strong
Hi diddle dee datty hi dayto!”

And when the sun begins to set
He’ll cover them up with a warm blanket
Then read them a story
Of vegetable glory
And that’s why they’re better, I bet!

One morning when Mees was out on his farm
A rumbling roar caused him some alarm
He looked ‘cross the field
In which he had kneeled
To inspect some vegetable harm.

The acreage across from his own
(Which had recently been overgrown)
Was full of machines
Planting yams, peas, and beans
Much more than he could grow alone.

Turns out a new farm had moved in
With a crashing of steel against tin
They were planting so quick
Mr. Mees felt quite sick
And went in to escape from the din

Mr. Mees was a little bit worried
For his gardening style was unhurried
“If this farm’s a success
and they quickly progress
All my profits will likely be buried!”

Sure enough, the machines kept on going
And the townspeople could be heard crowing
“this farm’s a keeper
It’s prices are cheaper!”
And Mr. Mees veggies stopped growing

Mr. Mees had no choice but to quit
And his veggies were all left to sit
His friends had been swayed by
The cheaper potati
Though they tasted worse by a bit

But children, you must be aware
A fair deal has become rather rare
The new farm was seedy
It’s owners were greedy
And they filled all their veggies with air!!

When the townspeople tasted their peas
Or chomped down on their fresh broccolis
There was nothing to swallow
The inside was hollow!
And oh! How they missed Mr. Mees!

Their futures appeared to be black;
Though they begged Mr. Mees to come back
He was moving away
on the very next day
And had already started to pack.

“I’m afraid there’s no way to compete
With a farm so fast and so fleet.
Though my veggies are nicest
They have the best prices
And more workers to harvest each beet.”

So Mr. Mees went back indoors
To pack all the clothes in his drawers
Then he sat down to grieve
For the farm he must leave
‘till his sniffles had turned into snores.

He awoke to a sound in the night
Drifting up through the moonlight
He opened his door
To investigate more
And saw the most wonderful sight

For standing out there on his farm
The townspeople stood arm in arm
They held a great quilt
That the ladies had built
To keep all the vegetables warm.

As they covered up every potato
And kissed each tiny tomato
They sang out a song
“grow up big and strong
High diddle dee datty hi dayto!”

The townspeople came every day
And so Mr. Mees chose to stay
They helped with the growing
The planting and sowing
And the other farm soon went away

So if things get so bad you can’t cope
Or you’ve reached the end of your rope
Remember old Mees
And all his friendies
And don’t you dare give up hope!