You’ve got to meet the Gardener!
His gardens don’t just provide refreshing green space. Yes, his gardens are refreshing. The pleasant arrangement of greenery does refresh the eyes. The unobtrusive aromas do calm the nerves. The pure ionized air does invigorate body and mind. But his gardens do so much more.
This Gardener’s gardens are engineering classrooms. In them, ambitious engineers can see mysteries of design in action. Engineers have learned about the design and proportion of efficient wings from the seeds of his maple trees. They have learned how to design agile airframes from the acrobatic dragonflies that play above his waterscapes. Principles of transfer of momentum are showcased by the grasshoppers that bounce through his fields. And architects can still find new wonders from the simple blades of grass.
His gardens aren’t just classrooms for engineers. His floral galleries show artists the principles of color balance, proportion, and focal points. His herb gardens provide not only tasteful opportunities for culinary students, but also natural remedies for herbalists to treat ailments with. Even businessmen can learn valuable principles from the slow, thorough preparation of deciduous buds, which ready themselves to grow exponentially at the opportune moment.
It may seem a little surprising that many of the Gardener’s favorite lessons are for people who work with people. The calculated and observant care that brings roses to the full potential of their beauty teaches valuable lessons about bringing out beauty of character in developing minds. Ant colonies teach incredible lessons about teamwork. Honeybees exemplify effective communication and decision making through their waggle-dances. And the growth and cultivation of seeds teaches the patience, attentiveness, and diligence required by all who would be positive leaders.
It may be completely shocking to discover that this same Gardener allows thorns and thistles to grow in some of his gardens. Poisonous plants may be found in some of his gardens. He allows some of his gardens to be poorly managed – even to the point of turning into barren desert. He allows some gardens to be flooded, and turn into stinking swamps. Does the Gardener have a sinister side to his character? Or does he allow these evils because there’s an even more important lesson that he wants his gardens to teach?
If you want to really know, you’ll have to meet the Gardener.