Potato Story

In the first six years of my life, before I started school, there weren't many children around my own age. I spent a lot of time with adults. I did many different things with whoever had time to be with me. Across the road lived Fidel Charlie. He had an apple tree close to the road and a big field. Things really didn't grow well in that field, but Charlie decided to plant anyway.

I was watching him dig rows so I decided to find out what he was doing. He was very patient. He answered all my questions. I followed him around and he let me help. While he was digging, he put lumps of horse manure in the ground. Then Charlie dropped bits of potato in the trenches. I was following behind him and I didn't know what the black round things were, so I picked them up and threw them on the road. I don't remember how far we got before he stopped for a little rest, standing, leaning on his hoe, Charlie looked around and he turned to me and asked, "What are you doing" I was smiling because I thought I was helping. "Taking these ugly black things out. It's from the horses, and it's not supposed to be in there." He laughed and then said, 'Those will help the potatoes grow." I didn't know that and I offered to put them back, but he said, "No, it's OK " After that, Charlie made sure he told me everything before I could help him plant.

Priscilla Wells lives in the neighbourhood. She remembers this story from her childhood in rural B. C.