CHAPTER 1

" A NEW BEGINNING"

 

It was seven in the evening, the train was about to leave, luckily, Jack could take time. And all passengers were in their seats. There was only one available. Jack sat there. Beside him was a guy with a cap, which was probably the same age.

- Where are you going? He asked the boy.

- Huh? "Said Jack

- Are you going to stay quiet the whole trip?

"Ah, well ... I go to Flower Bud Village.

- What a coincidence! I also go there.

- What are you doing?

"I'm going to live with my dad and my sister on a farm called Green Ranch. And what about you?

"I'll take the farm that I inherited from my grandfather.

- And how long ago you inherited?

" It's been ... about 5 years, I could not occupy it before because I was too young..

"Um ... if it have 5 years without use, it must be a mess, if you want to do well, you're going to have to do much work.

"And ... that about it must a mess ... What do you mean? "Asked Jack, a little nervous.

-A run leaves, rocks, stumps, and many weeds.

- Is that all? No sounds like hard work.

"That depends on how large the field.

 

After hearing this,he became nervous again,because they tell him that the farm he inherited was quite large.

When 30 minutes passed, the boy fell asleep, but Jack did not sleep,thinking about what to do with their land, and how to manage his new farm, and more than upset, how to clean up the mess the boy mentioned.

To Jack, the journey time was quite short for him thinking about his farm. When the train stopped completely, both get off the train and took their luggage.

 

"By the way, Did I tell you my name?

"No, me neither. I'm Jack.

"I am Gray. "Gray says, then looks at his watch. - Ten o'clock at night!? Is too late! Stupid train! Well Jack, I have to go, bye!

- Goodbye! "Said Jack, and Gray, went very fast.

 

After that, Jack go walking home, he was tired and sleepy. When he reached his destination, he went straight to his new home, he was so tired that he did not want to see the land, instead, decided to see it tomorrow morning.

The next morning, he realized that his new house was small, and also saw a tool box that last night had not seen in the dark (That night he did not turn on any light, just went and slept in his bed). Jack got up and went to open the tool box. It was a bit dusty, and had a few cobwebs. Inside the tool box he found some tools to farm. There was a hammer, a watering can, an axe,  one sickle, a hoe and a small bag very dirty, dusty and battered. Jack put all these tools in his backpack, everything except the bag. Then he carried it, and left his home. He ran into the ground very excited about his first day on the farm, he was eager to plant and cultivate, but he soon realized that there was not a single seed. He check in his pocket, and had only 25 cents. He had no choice but to go to buy seeds, so he went to town. It did not take long to find a Flower Shop. Jack came into the shop, and from the counter, he spoke to a very cheerful woman.

 

- Hello! Come in, welcome to the Lillia’s Flower Shop.

 

Jack look around the shop, there was a long table, where they had many bags with seeds. Suddenly,from a door,a girl with pink hair appeared, wearing a green headband and a red dress. It was a pretty girl. That girl walk near Jack, and went out of the shop.

     Jack stopped for a while, then remembered he had to buy seeds, so he grabbed a white bag and the lady said:

 

"Those are turnip seed, worth 25 cents.

 

Jack checked his pocket. It was just the money he had, so he pulled out and went to the counter, with the seeds in hand. Just when he reached the counter, someone opened the door of the shop. It was the same girl as before. She was walking straight to the lady at the counter.

 

"Mama," said the girl - can you give me more money?

"But child, I just give you your allowance.

"Please ..." Said the girl, then looks at Jack - Hey! Are you new? I've never seen you here before.

"Is because ... I just move to town yesterday.

- Then what's your name?

-Jack.

- Are you going to plant turnips?

"Yes, they will be the first on my farm.

- Do you have a farm? How exciting! Can I help you to plant them?

- Yes, I will appreciate it!

"Don’t worry, I love anything that has to do with plants and flowers. By the way, my name is Popuri. Well, go to your farm, I follow you.

 

Jack left the shop, and the girl was following. They soon get to Jack’s Farm.

 

"Here it is. "Said Jack, walked up to the plot of land. When he arrived, he stopped, and took out from his backpack his hoe.

“Let’s  plant the turnips here.

- Are you serious? They won’t grow anything here.

- Hey, don’t be so mean, here my grandfather planted and harvested a lot! And also has a special value for me.

"Hehe, I'm not referring to the farm in general, I meant this part of the field you choose. This will not grow because there is too much weed, if you take away some you can grow your seeds.

 "So ..." Jack put away his hoe, and then he took out his sickle and used to cut a weed.

- No, no, no! These weeds are very small, if they are large weeds, use the sickle  and then remove it. This one just remove it, but carefully, so don’t let the root.

 

Jack did as she said, but felt a little bad, What would Popuri think about him, if she knew more about growing seeds, and supposedly he had to have more expirience than her?

After removing all weeds, Jack dug enough to all the seeds. He tried to do the best way so that  Popuri won’t correct him. After burying the seeds, Popuri watered the seeds with her own Watering Can, which had gotten from her Mother’s Shop.

 

- Yes, my first crop on my farm! "Said Jack, very happy. "Thank you for helping me, Popuri.

"Nothing, I had fun helping. For another time what seeds you want to plant, you may need my help again, so let me know when you’re going to plant more, please?

 

When Popuri said this, Jack was left cold. He thought Popuri treated him as a baby.He also thought that "she may not help him because she likes him, but because she feels sorry for him"

 

"No … I don’t think I need help ..." Jack was going to say thanks, but repented.

"Um ... well, goodbye. She says, Popuri, a little depressed, and leaves.

 

When Jack lost sight Popuri, she thought: "Maybe I should have done it a bit more friendly, but ... maybe she don’t deserve good treatment for considering me dumb. But ... also I was a bit for not knowing anything. Although ... probably without her help, I will never grow turnips ... Ah, this is confusing! What should I have done? ". Just when you think of it finished, he roared his gut. He hasn’t eat breakfast yet, so he went home.When he entered, he went to his bag to see what had brought to eat. Inside there was plenty of food, but it would not last for more than two weeks.

 

- Oh, no! I will starve! "Said Jack, startled. After that, he sat on his bed without eating anything, just sat down to think about food. Thought to feed on their crops, but they will take some time to grow, and then he though about the fruits that are in the forest. Therefore, Jack left his house, and then his farm. Near the road heading to town, was one that went to the forest. Jack took that road. Upon arrival, he noticed the large number of trees that had, however, did not find much of what he wanted. He just had found few berries on the ground. " I won’t last to much here," thought Jack, discouraged. He was about to go home, when suddenly, from a herd that was that was in the woods, leaving a dark man with white hair, carrying a fishing rod. Upon seeing him, Jack was very happy. He was saved, if he caught some fishes, he could have food. But the joy did not last long. He realized that he did not have a Fishing Rod. He was a little sad, but at least he only have in mind that he needed a Fishing Rod.

 

- Ay! Ugh! This is a strong one! "Say the fisherman, getting Jack’s attention. He approached the fisherman to help him to catch the fish by helping pulling the rod. With the help of Jack, the fish surrendered, and they could catch it. The fisherman was very grateful with Jack.

"Thank you for helping me to fish, I can see that you are very good at fishing! Tell me, what is the biggest fish you've caught?

- Me? No, I’ve caught none, in fact, I don’t even have a Fishing Rod.

"Oh, sorry, I thought you had go fishing before. You seem to be a good fisherman, you will like to have a Fishing Rod?

- Yes, I would love to have one! "Said Jack, glad to have a rod, as needed. The fisherman went to his cabin, then left her with a rod.

"This rod was made by me. Do not worry! Not bad quality, I've already tested it before.

- Thanks! Says Jack, then he walk to the river bridge. When he arrived, he began to look the water. Then he get out his rod, threw the bait into the sea, and began to fish. They had spent about two minutes when Jack sees the fisherman to realize something. After this, the fisherman go running to Jack, with an old can in his hand.

 

"Sorry, I forgot to give you one of these. “Said the fisherman while giving the can to Jack. Inside the can had worms. When he saw them, took his rod out of the water, and noted the hook. Jack laughed, and asked the fisherman for the can, he put a worm on the hook, and began to fish again. Time passed, but not a single fish stung. When spent fifteen minutes, one fish finally stung. Jack did everything to not let it go, he pull very hard so it would not escape, however, it escaped anyway.

 

- Ha ha ha! Ju Ju ha ha! Ah ...! That was funny ... "said a boy with his cap, which Jack looked familiar.

- Who are you? "Asked Jack, a little annoying.

- What, already forgotten? "He said the boy.

"Mmm ... the thruth if….sorry

- How forgetful you are, I am Gray!

- Gray? I still can’t remember

- We met on the train!

"Ah ... yes, I remember now.

- Aren’t  you happy to see me again?

"Mmm ...

- ... Hey! I just ordered something to the goddess of the harvest, I gave my best crop so that my wish will fulfill.

- And where you asked for that?

"Look ..."Says Gray, pointing to a somewhat narrow path surrounded by trees. "That road will take you to the lake of the goddess of the harvest. They say that if you throw a good harvest of yours, she will give you what you ask, at least that’s what they say. The lake is beautiful, has many trees around, not get even a single ray of sunshine, and has many flowers.

- Great, I will go see it, goodbye! "says Jack, and after that, runs into the lake. Before entering, he stops. - What did you ask the Goddess of the Harvest?

"I'm not going to say it.

"Well, if you don’t want to is up to you, bye! "Says Jack, and leaves the lake. Upon arriving, he realized that Grey was right, there was not even a ray of sunshine. It was a beautiful place, was full of yellow flowers, and a dirt path ran next to the Goddess. Jack approached the lake. He had no harvest, however, he asked for something.

 

"Goddess of the harvest, I have no crop to give you, but I want to ask you to help me a bit on my farm, to begin well, to not be a disaster. Not that I believe that I’m bad at running a farm, but I'm new, and I don’t know how well I will do. Hopefully you can help. "Said Jack, very focused on what he asked. After this, he left the lake to his house for breakfast. Upon arriving home, he was very hungry, so one from hiw backpack, he pulled out a box with food. Inside there was some bread, tea bags, rice balls, and a few fruits. As it was too late for breakfast, he was eating and resting for a few hours. After some rest, he went to the forest, to go fishing again, as he had not caught anything. When he started fishing, it was already noon, and planned to eat fish as lunch, if he could catch one before.

Five minutes had passed, and nothing. And also spent five more. He wait another five minutes and finally one fish stung. This time, he pulled with all his strength so that it won’t escape, and he got lucky, he managed to catch the fish. Jack was very happy, even though the fish was small. As yet he was not hungry, he decided to stay and fishing. After fishing for a while, he took all his fishes to his house. When he arrived, he started to count them. He had eight fishes. He took two of them and cooked them, the rest left them inside the refrigerator. When he finished cooking, he added to the two fishes one of his rice balls. After lunch, he realized he was not very good at cooking. Jack left home and went to see his turnips. They haven’t grew, and then he  thought that eating fish every day would be frustrating, he had to have lunch something different some days, so he thought of going to a store to buy someting, but then remembered that he needed money. In this, he got an idea, if he could sell this crops, maybe he could sell fish. Jack came home and pulled out of the refrigerator four fishes, then went out and put them in box of sales. The cash sales was a wide wooden box, which was in front of his house, where Jack had to keep their products that would sell. At night, a man took them and left him money. After leaving the fish in the box, went home and started watching television to give him sleep. He had come home tired, that day seemed very exhausting, thought that this should happen to be his first day on the farm. Due to fatigue, he went to bed early.