The Terrier and the Garden

Prologue

This is for Mikeydred’s November challenge. Have some writing fun with us here!

My little West Highland White Terriers, Cloudy and Snowball, gave a little inspiration for this short microfiction today.

For those who aren’t familiar with this dog breed, the Westie is famous for its stubbornness and non-conformist attitude. This little non-conformist teaches us that a little rebellion sometimes makes a difference.

Part 1

Fergus the West Highland terrier hid beneath a dense bramble bush in Mr. Bilkins’ garden, watching the day’s happenings from the shadows. The garden was renowned for its intricate, perfect rows of roses and wee-trimmed hedges. Their orderliness was a little overwhelming for the terrier, known for its Westitude -West Highland terriers had infamously stubborn wills. He wanted more than to dig the garden’s soil and chase the butterflies within its confines.

Part 2

Fergus woke up under the same bramble bush one bright morning, unable to withstand the allure of the roses’ scent any longer. He got up from his hiding place under the thorny bramble bush and burst like a lightning bolt through the fence that surrounded the roses. The young puppy frolicked among the roses, scattering soil and petals, much to the chagrin of Mr. Bilkins.  

“Shoo! You’ve made a fine mess, you naughty little dog!”Despite his efforts to restore the garden’s pristine order, the little terrier returned the next day to create more havoc in the garden.

Part 3

While doing what all restless terriers do on a fine afternoon, Fergus discovered a wildflower sprouting under the bramble bush where he usually hid. It wasn’t like the regimented roses that blossomed, aligned among their well-trimmed bushes; it danced freely in the breeze.

Captivated by its free spirit, Fergus sniffed it eagerly, He dug the soil around it with care, not wanting to destroy it the way he did the roses. He even filled the small trench with dead leaves, fertilizing it with unusual terrier patience. As it grew, it brightened the garden, giving it energy that surprised Mr. Bilkins.

Part 4

As time went by, Mr Bilkins noticed the roses near the wildflower thriving, covering the hedges with a sense of harmony and spiritedness. Little Fergus, instead of being a nuisance, had helped the garden to thrive.

Fergus was now a welcome visitor to Mrs. Bilkin’s garden. The little Westie slept peacefully beside the wildflower, which had brought new life to the hedges with that bit of difference.