The Garden and the Gardener
Once upon a time, in a large and wonderful garden, there was a little vine named Pippin. Pippin lived with plenty of sunshine and gentle breezes, tended by the kind and wise Gardener. The Gardener talked to the plants every day, and Pippin loved the sound of his voice.
One stormy night, wind and rain blew across the field. The Gardener wasn’t nearby, and Pippin grew scared. When other vines asked, “Why are you worried? Don’t you believe in the Gardener?” Pippin trembled and said, “I don’t know —maybe not!” When asked again, Pippin panicked and said, “Where is he? I don’t see our Gardener, and this storm is too much?” As the storm continued, and when asked a third time, Pippin yelled, “I don’t even know this Gardener!”
When the storm passed, the garden remained standing, as the Gardener prepared for such storms, but Pippin felt tangled inside. He missed the Gardener’s voice and wondered if he would ever come back.
Then, one morning, Pippin smelled the scent of fresh earth and heard footsteps. The Gardener had returned! He was planting new seeds and trimming the vines, smiling gently.
When he came to Pippin, he didn’t scold or walk past. Instead, he knelt down and asked, “Pippin, do you believe in me?”
“Yes,” whispered Pippin, feeling his leaves tremble.
“Then grow strong and help the younger vines,” the Gardener said.
The Gardener then asked twice, “Do you believe in me and love me?” And twice, Pippin said yes, each time a little stronger.
With every answer, the Gardener pruned away the pain and cleared away the shame, until Pippin stood tall again, ready to grow and help others in the garden.
From that day on, Pippin listened closely to the Gardener’s voice and helped the garden bloom.
Moral: Even when we mess up, Jesus – the Good Gardener, calls us back with love. When we say “yes” to Him, He forgives us, helps us grow, and invites us to care for others with His love.
A children’s short story inspired by John 21:1-19.
