Around the Bend: Apple Drop

"That's nice," says Benny. I can see he's getting bored with the conversation so I quickly get to the point.

"I started this tree as a seed. It sprouted in your nappies. That's how I knew it was going to be a very special apple. Because it sprouted in your nappies!"

Benny is pleased about this.

"The tree grew so well I put it in a pot and kept it safe from birds. I grew it in this little room, with pictures of you on all the walls, so the tree would always have your face near to it."

"Did the tree start to laugh?" asks Benny.

"No," I say, "but it's got a most unusual apple on it. Now, I want you to take that apple and look after it until it finishes itself off. Then we can get the seeds and grow them into more apple trees, and collect the seeds from them, and grow more trees, and so on until we have enough seeds to fill a football stadium!"

"Why do you want to fill a football stadium?" asks Benny.

I couldn't tell him just then because the milk inside me had decided to jump about and gurgle.

So that was yesterday. Benny took the apple and kept it safely in his pocket. He talked to it, and kissed it, and even took it to bed with him. He was the best little apple-minder on planet Earth.

One week later Benny was back.

"Hi, Grandpop. How's tricks?"

"Not so bad!"

"Mind if I have a banana, please?"

"No, help yourself!"

"Thanks."

"How's that special apple?"

"I think it's ready."

Benny handed me the apple. I nearly dropped it because I had glanced at his face and I could feel the laughter inside me pushing up through the milk.

"Sorry, Grandpop," said Benny turning his back.

I took the apple and carefully sliced it into four. Then I extracted the seeds. I put each seed into a small planter and turned the stereo on.