It's a fine thing when yer mates leave ye, scoffin' at yer trepidations and laughin' at yer worries. Aye, and that's how I found myself, and that's what I be thinkin' when me and me fine lady decided to de done with it, and began the journey to finally set foot inside that garden.

It's not easy I tell ye, and I can only hope ye be thinkin' of these things tonite when this story is over and ye be lying awake next to the one ye love, and ye be feelin' all good and safe and snug. AndI hope ye take a moment and be smug in yer satisfsction. Aye, and ye best give 'er yer finest embrace, and I can only hope ye think back to that moment when I asked fer yer help, and ye responded with nothin' but jest and cuttin' wit.

As if jest and cuttin' wit will save a man in his darkest hour. And what kind of man would offer only that? And friends that would ask for a share in the spoils with none of the risk?

Ah, it tis a fine thing indeed, if ye be callin' all that is sad and without merit in a man's heart to be fine. Me, I went with a heavy heart, knowin' all too well tis only me own folly that preceded this event.

Knowin' as I did, it was only me own arrogance that would put me lady in harm's way.

Knowin' as I did, my best effort to raise alarm was met by jealousy and a desire to share the spoils.

Tis a lonely feelin' indeed.

Aye but a man needs to eat, and a woman too. So off we set, upon our expedition into the land we had only recently tilled, now taken over by spirts with what intent we knew not, but witnessing as we were the overtaking of all that was decent and orderly.

Off we went, hearing the jeers and ridicules of our peers and loved ones; those not knowing or understanding the risk we had undertaken.

Those that would confuse a cry for help with sheer arrogance.

Thus quoth the squash..... Nevermore.

Now, I wish to tell ye, me lady set the first foot into that plot of upturned earth. And if the truth be known, if ye were to take me onto the stand and make me swear by it, then yes I'd be forced to tell ye. Me lady set all the steps to be made that day inside that edifice of agriculture, while I, yes I, ye humble servant and peasant narrator of this humble tale, aye, yes I, did set near the exit, fearin' fer me life as I am wont to do.

Through the lettuce and past the tomatoes she went. The snap peas were nary a bother. I voiced me concerns when she approached the beans, but soon she eyed the squash. More kinds of squash then I could hope to describe. And me heart leaped to me throat and if I could tell ye what happened next why.....

Thus quoth the snap peas.....Nevermore.

And so now we are back. Me dog named Lucky waits for the ball. Me one-eyed cat sleeps and sheds in the corner. Outside the sunflowers sway in the settin' breeze of the night. All seems normal, but the cautious man will beware....

For under the growth of exuberance lies a cucumber waiting. Waiting to entice those without fear nor knowledge to give them pause.

Waiting as it does, next to the golden squash with fifty cousins right next to it whose name we can not know.

Waiting as it does for those who would pick the harvest. Waiting as it does, that cucumber alone among the squash, waiting to utter in udder shear terror.........

."Thus quoth the cucumber.... Nevermore!"