Tom and Mary were cautious parents. In general. Allie was brought up with shelter and care; while growing up, she was always kept away from sins and bad news. So, it was natural for Millie to expect the same. More so, because of her traumatic entrance into the world.
“Grandpappy, what are we doing today?”, she cooed at a meager age of 6. Yes, the girl has grown fast and with such zest and curiosity. Childhood is a different experience for everyone, and for Millie it was all about farming; dairy, Woodstock and discovering flowers in the nearby mountain woods. Precaution was always taken wherever she would wander, but ever so lightly that the little one’s curiosity grew boundlessly.
“Today, my dear little girl, we are going to learn how to select the best mushrooms for dinner. Today, you will get to eat Mama Mary’s famous mushroom soup!”, chimed Tom excitedly. It is an experience all over again; and the mistakes of the past will surely not be repeated in this one. One can only hope.
They trotted on, hand in hand, baskets in the other. Millie loved picking flowers wherever they went. Made a little haven for herself everyday. Books were fun to read and learn from, but true learning begins in the outdoors. And this is where Tom and Mary would often urge her to explore. Sunlight, wind, moisture on summer days, and snowflakes and icicles on winter mornings; she should feel nature, become one with it. That’s how one learns how to feel. The more she played around, the more they saw the essence of their young Allie; a fighter until the end, they believed her to be. Sometimes, a spitting mirror image of her mother.
They entered Willow Wood for fresh mushrooms from the tree bottoms. After all, to get your hands on a few oyster mushrooms during winter weeks was good luck, as per the town’s beliefs. While they began looking for mushrooms, Tom narrated stories about garden gnomes to Millie. How they appear only when you are sleeping, and they are the reason everyone’s gardens are so fresh and clean every day. Their hard work and love for plants and all things nature knew no bounds, and this is why we should never upset gnomes. As fast as they maintain your bushes, that’s exactly how fast they take their revenge too!
Oh, she was delighted; the little wonder. Excitedly searching in the forest holes for these genius gnomes. Poor thing was yet to grow up and learn that they were mere fairytales. For now, they kept her spirit pure, and that’s all that mattered.
“Oooooh, Grandpappy! Look what I found. He is so cute!”, she exclaimed. A discovery was in place. Something fun had been found. Tom was aghast when he reached where she was. She had a mushroom in her hand; fairly large for its expected size. This one was as large as his palm, and he could not believe his eyes.
The shock did not come from the size of the mushroom, but the eyes of the mushroom. Yes! The mushroom had baby-like eyes that had just awoken from a deep sleep. Now, if this was a normal baby, Tom would be gushing. But as of now, he was stunned, worried and anxious all at the same time!
“My dear, please put this down. This is unlike anything I’ve ever seen before!”, he advised Millie.
“But Grandpappy, he must be so cold. Look at him cuddling in my arms. He is so cute. Can I please take him home? Pleaseeee. I will take care of him, and I will be very careful, I promise!”, she begged with puppy eyes.
There is nothing you can really do when a little child begs for a pet. You just have to get them what they want. But he made her promise:
- Kept in a glass jar till we know what it is.
- Fed only soups, till we know how it eats.
- Kept in the barn area, until we know how safe it is.
The promises were adhered to, and home came “Milo”; for those that do not know, children have a name for everything. And this major mushroom was called “Milo”. This was an adventure no one would have expected to come across and it’s is going to start with a major bang!
Written By Anisha Masand
Part 3 of the story on 18th Dec ’20.
Week 50, December ’20
