Random Story Stories

The Pratt Garden

The curse of the Pratt house. It is a legend that goes back a hundred years to when the town of Kingston was formed. Morgan Pratt and her twin sons, Luther and Horus, built a house on top of a giant hill. When Morgan began to make a garden, the fruit was juicy. The vegetables were crunchy. Everything was perfect for this family until others noticed how rich the soil was for planting.

The town of Kingston began to form when farmers and artisans came and worked the land. The Pratt's had no fear, because Morgan's garden was still better than the rest. However, the rest of the town grew jealous that a woman could live on her own and still manage to be prosperous. The mayor, James Holst, politely asked to meet with Morgan to discuss how to fix this tiny problem. Holst asked Morgan to leave kindly and, with vigor, added that the town would buy her property.

Morgan, who knew not how to be angry, said no. She loved her house. She loved her garden. Mr. Holst sighed and clapped his hands together three times. Suddenly two brutes carried in her beaten down sons. Both had massive bruises on their faces. Morgan knew that the boys had not fought back, because she had taught her sons that violence was unnecessary.

"You can either have your house and garden or your son's lives. Which will it be?" Morgan begged Holst to see reason, but he was blinded by money. But the more she begged the more hits the boys took. Finally Morgan broke and spoke calmly to the terrible man.

"Very well. I shall make you a deal. If you can make my garden flourish with life, you may have it. You may also take the house and all of the possessions in side it. You may also keep the town's money." The man smiled. He was known for his ability to tend to plants. This woman had no clue what she was getting herself into. Holst than shook Morgan's hand. "However, if you fail, you must leave my family and me alone."

"I swear on my wealth that I shall be honorable. I swear on my daughter's hearts that I will leave your family alone. I swear on all that I am, that I will grow many things inside your garden".

The spring came and James Holst spent all his time in the Pratt's garden. He was so arrogant that he failed to notice how none of the plants from last year had reappeared. After a month or two, Holst grow frustrated. Not a single sprout had grown. When fall came, Morgan was summoned again to the mayor's office.

"How?" He begged her for an answer. "How is your garden not growing, I have done all that is needed. I even watered them daily how can it be?"

"Do you really which to know?" Morgan sported a small smile.

"Yes! Please!"

"Love, my dear." Morgan laughed at Holst's surprised face. "A life is more than food or growth. More than water. You could not grow anything because all that was in you heart was smugness. Bitterness. You that they were just sill plants. My garden requires love. Only love can truly make life great. Love of nature, love of friendship, love of a partner. In all aspects of life there is love."

True to his ward, James gave Morgan his riches. He humbled himself by apologizing. And lastly gave his two eldest daughters, Olivia and Poppy, to marriage to the Pratt brothers. As time passed, no one could grow life like the Pratt's. But the Holst family, who were as poor as dirt, came in a close second.