The Young Gardener | English Short Stories

 The Young Gardener | A Short Story 

A young man entered a shop and asked the shopkeeper if he could use the telephone and he would pay for it. The shopkeeper looked at the young man from head to toe and nodded his head. 

The young man reached the phone and dialed a number. The shopkeeper watched silently. The young man started talking. 

"Good morning! Madam...Are you looking for a gardener?"

"The lady replied, "Good morning! No, not  necessary at the moment." 

The young man said, "I can mow your garden and prune the trees."

The lady said, "Well, I already have one for all this work." 

The young man then said, "I'll do it for half the wages you pay for him." 

The lady still refused. He said, "Well, madam , I have long experience as a gardener. I have worked for a number of wealthy people. I can transform your garden also into one of the best gardens in the city. Just allow me to work in your garden one day." 

The lady this time rather firmly said, "No, I'm more than satisfied with the one who works for me. He does his job perfectly well." 

The young man gently placed the receiver. 

The shopkeeper, who listened to the whole conversation, was impressed by the behaviour of this young man. He said, "Son, if you are looking for work, I can offer you a job here."

The young man smiled and said, "Thank you, uncle , I already work for the lady I have just called." 

The surprised shopkeeper asked, "Then why did you ask her for a job when you already work for her?"

The young man replied very innocently, "I just wanted to find if she was happy with my work, and if I was doing my job correctly or not." 

Adapted from a story found on Internet | Sajendra Kumara





Location: Attanagalla, Sri Lanka

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