"Look!" the mother said, "Look at this beautiful little seedling!"

"I know,^" the Master Gardener smiled, "I placed him here. He's yours to grow."

"Mine?!" the mother quickly interrupted. "Oh, how wonderful!"

"Yes, but only for a little while. I'm giving you 18 weeks to grow this plant. During that time you must feed him with wisdom, water him with affection and shower him with love. When weeds appear near his roots and unhealthy stems begin to grow, carefully remove them. Although he may cry and beg you to stop, be diligent, for this will help your little plant grow. And when the strong winds of adversity blow, stand by your little seedling, encourage him and help him through those difficult times."

The mother stood quietly, gazing at this little plant. What a tremendous responsibility this was! Then she glanced around her yard. There was grass to be cut, flowers to be planted and mulch to be spread. With so much to do, how could she possibly care for this little seedling as the Master Gardener had ordered?

As if reading her mind, He said, "Don't get anxious or upset when your work load gets too heavy. Make him your priority and let the rest of your chores go. Remember, the other work will always be here, but he will only stay for a while. Then I will take him where he'll be fruitful and productive."

So the mother did just as he had instructed. Each day she fed her plant with wisdom, watered him with affection, and showered him with love. She was so busy; she didn't realize how quickly time was passing.

One morning several weeks later, the mother noticed another seedling growing right next to the first one.

"Another one!" the mother exclaimed to herself.

Again, the Master Gardener was at her side.

"Look, Master! Isn't she beautiful?" the mother marveled. "Did you place her here, too?"

"Yes," He replied. "I have another little seedling for you to care for. Diligently raise her as you have the first, being careful to do all that I have instructed you to do."

"And after 18 weeks?"

The Master nodded, "After 18 weeks she will go with me to a place where she will be fruitful and productive."

Although the mother was thrilled to have another seedling to care for, for the moment she was overwhelmed with the thought of even more responsibilities.

"But I struggle to complete all my other chores now," she began, "how will I ever...

"Priorities," He whispered, then He was gone.

Each day brought new growth, new learning and new experiences for the little seedlings. And everyday the mother's love permeated the soil surround mg them and nourished their tiny roots. And their garden was filled with joy!

But with the joy, there were times of pain. Just as the Master Gardener had instructed, whenever the mother saw weeds appear or unhealthy stems beginning to grow, she carefully removed them. And when the strong winds blew, she'd hover over her little plants, shelter them and speak words of encouragement until the storms had passed.

The days were passing quickly. It had only been a few weeks later when, once again, another little seedling began growing in her garden. When the Master Gardener appeared, his instructions were the same.

Now the mother had three very special plants. As she worked--pulling weeds, pruning stems and imparting knowledge--she noticed that every day they were growing bigger, stronger and wiser.

And then, it happened.

One afternoon as she was watering her garden, the Master Gardener appeared. This time He had a shovel in his hand.

"Already?" the mother questioned, "You've come already?"

He nodded his head, then moved to the first little plant and began digging around the soil.

"Please, Master Gardener," the mother pleaded, "Please don't take him away! I've fed him, watered him and cared for him for so long. My love for him has grown so deep, I can't bear the thought of living without him!"

Yet, despite her pleading, the Master Gardener lifted the little plant from the soil that had nourished him and carried him away.

The mother was grieved when she saw the hole where his roots had grown deep. Even so, she still had two plants to care for. So, with time shorter than ever, the mother continued to labor. But before she knew it, the Master Gardener was prodding the soil around the second beautiful plant. Soon she, too, was gone.

The days were getting cooler now; a sign that time was running out. Often, the mother became tired from all her labor, yet she refused to quit working.

All too soon the day came when the last little plant was removed from her garden. The pain in the mother's heart was almost more than she could bear, for now her garden was empty. . barren. . void of the life and love that had once been there.

Day after day the mother looked out over her garden and wept. Despite her many other chores, she felt useless, and often wondered if all her work had been for nothing.

One morning while she was raking leaves, the Master Gardener appeared. This time He held a basket, brimming with fruit. He leaned over and set it before her.

"Where did these come from?" the mother asked.

"They came from your little plants," He said. "Because you fed them with wisdom, watered them with affection and showered them with love, they are now producing fruit--spreading by and peace, shedding goodness and kindness, and showering love to everyone around them."

And for the first time in days, mother's heart swelled with joy--a new kind of joy--for now she knew her labor had not been in vain.