Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Arches - Chaser - Search (07/03/25)
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TITLE: Raiders of the Best Garden | Previous Challenge Entry
By Terry R A Eissfeldt
07/09/25 -
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Carly, my six-year-old kid sister, squeaks out, “I can’t see it!”
She’s hunkered down among the corn stalks in Mr. Brown’s field. His farm borders the town limits and is the perfect cover for raiding Mrs. Otto’s garden.
‘You have to get your head above the corn to see it!” I army crawl closer grinding soil into my tank top and shorts. Mom will be furious but I shake off the thought of consequences and soldier on.
Carly slinks behind me.
“Okay,” I point up. “Look for the arches. There are two arbor gates. One north, on our side, and one south.”
She raises her head then whines, “Libby, what’s an arch?”
I pull her down. “Shhhh!”
She mouths, “Sorry.”
I knew she would slow me down but I couldn’t leave her home. Mom’s still asleep and Dad left months ago.
My stomach grumbles causing Carly to giggle. She quickly puts her hand over her mouth. We’ve both learned the value of silent mornings after Mom stays up late.
“Just look for the pretty flowers curling up to the sky.” I draw the shape of an arch in the air.
Carly nods.
She peers above the stalks and whispers, “I see the arches.”
“Follow me.” I continue the army crawl with Carly close behind.
We reach the edge of the field. A dirt lane lies between us and breakfast. I look both ways and then to Mrs. Otto’s back door. The only movement comes from bees buzzing around the sweet peas climbing the arbor.
“Stay here!” I imitate Mom’s harshest stare. Carly shrinks back nodding. I feel bad as fear creeps into her eyes but I need to be fast and efficient.
I look around once more and then dash for the gate. I’m in before the fragrance from the flowers overhead reach my nose. I search out the carrot patch and beeline over. I pull a handful then move to the peas. They’re barely ripe but I reach for them anyways.
Just as I fill the pouch, made by folding up my tank top, I hear the house door squeak open. I dive to the ground and crawl toward the fence squeezing between corn stalks and white pickets.
Mrs. Otto ambles into the garden humming a hymn. I think it’s called Search me, O God. I learned it last summer at Vacation Bible School.
She sings as she walks toward the carrot patch. I shudder at the words.
*Search me, O God, and know my heart today,
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray;
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from every sin, and set me free.
I hear her gasp as she spots the missing carrots.
Then she giggles, “I guess I still have the best garden to raid in town.”
She wanders closer. “Isn’t that right, Elizabeth Mary Burns.”
I burst from my hiding place and run for the gate.
“Don’t make me send the chasers after you!” Mrs. Otto calls out. “My dogs will track you and your baby sister down.”
I stop in my tracks, defeated. Carly rushes from the corn wailing.
We turn to face the old woman, but instead of anger we see sparkling eyes and a welcoming smile.
“Why don’t you girls come in and wash off those vegetables. I just pulled muffins from the oven.”
Carly looks up at me mouthing, “Please?”
“We’re not allowed to…besides Carly’s afraid of dogs.”
“Even miniature poodles?” She arches her eyebrows.
Carly squeals in delight and abandons me.
“You know, Libby, I’m your daddy’s aunt. And your momma made me your emergency contact at school.”
“She did?” My stomach growls loudly.
“Yes, I’ll show you.” She laughs, “Seems like your stomach wants to come in.”
Mrs. Otto and Carly walk hand-in hand toward the house. Then she begins to hum again.
The tune brings another verse to mind:
*Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender, Lord, in me abide.
What did the VBS leader say about God’s love? Oh yeah, His love will chase us down. Maybe He sent Mrs. Otto to catch me. I try to brush off my dirty clothes as I follow them to the house.
* Lyrics by James E Orr, Public Domain
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