The writing prompt was about a woman who was hauling soil in a wheelbarrow. She was hauling a heavy burden.
Rosie in Bloom
Rosie was a hard worker. Everyone knew that. That is why everyone asked her to do all their work for them.
One woman said that she didn’t have time to watch the baby and do all the housework. Her husband worked and was never home, and she had her own things to do, so Rosie was asked to watch the baby, do the laundry, make the meals, and clean the house. And what did that woman do for her work? She watched TV, shopped online, and spent hours on the phone talking to friends. She even found the time to tell Rosie to get her things so that she could take a break from her strenuous schedule.
Then there were the town workers. On weekends, Rosie was asked to cover countless jobs. The newspaper editor asked her to deliver papers. The grocer asked her to cover the counter during lunch times. And when the street workers had to build or clean something, she was always asked to help out.
She was never paid for any of these activities, nor was she thanked. She was a hard worker, and though she enjoyed pleasing others, it was a little disappointing to her not to even get a simple thank you for what she did. It’s not that she didn’t care that she was being taken advantage of. Once she began helping others, she just didn’t want to stop. She enjoyed the attention of being needed, which was more than she got growing up in a family of ten, where she was mostly ignored.
Then came the day, while helping out the local gardener, it happened. She was hauling some soil in a wheelbarrow to plant some seeds. It was a heavy load. She tripped over a rock on the ground, dropping the seeds and dumping the soil from her wheelbarrow on them.
Suddenly, things changed. Things began to grow from that soil. A man walked up to her and helped her stand up. He was not someone she recognized. He wore a multi-colored jacket, covered with all sorts of flowers and trees. His striped pants were deep brown and wrinkled. The stripes on them reminded Rosie of tree roots, which made sense, since his shoes looked like garden shoes with extended spikes that dug deep into the ground.
“Thank you for your help,” she said.
“Rosie,” he said, “Are you all right? I didn’t expect to find you this way.”
Rosie was confused. She looked at him and asked, “Do I know you? You seem to know me.”
His answer was also unexpected. “Rosie, I’ve known you since you were a little girl. I’ve followed your life as best I could. You are an incredible person.”
She didn’t know what to say.
“I know this will be hard to understand. I am called the Watcher. My task is to find those who are worthy of knowing. Those who exhibit passion in their work, kindness in their spirit, and dedication to tasks that they undertake. I also look for those who exhibit empathy for others, compassion for those in need, and are willing to help others without recompense and help them grow. In my searching, I have never met anyone who exhibits all those qualities until you.”
“What does that mean that you watched me and found me? What does that mean for me?”
It means that there will be a time when all the work, help, and things you do for others will be rewarded. That all you do is not for naught. Look around you. Look at all the things growing right now, because of you.”
Rosie looked at the clump of soil that had fallen on the seeds she dropped. A variety of flowers were emerging. Ones of different colors and shapes. Flowers that were not like the ones she expected.
Suddenly, the day, which started somewhat gloomy, brightened. The sun came out from behind the clouds, the sky turned a vivid blue, and a rainbow formed around Rosie.
The Watcher just smiled, nodded his head, and disappeared.
As for Rosie, things began to change. Not only did a beautiful garden appear before the townspeople, but so bloomed the hearts of all who lived there. Those who had used her for their own pleasure now thanked her for her work. Some even offered to help her with her tasks. Rosie became a role model for everyone who knew her, and a model to strive for.
In the end, she made a big difference in the world and felt good.
