A Wheelbarrows Tale by Jason Brown
22 February 2023 { Fantasy }
Willie wheelbarrow sighed in relief. All morning he had carried bricks from one side of the site to the other. His handler had finally stopped for his lunch. There had been some humour in the day. The site foreman had approached his handler and said Willie’s wheel was squeaking and causing offence. His handler had replied ' I’ll pour some oil on it boss.’
‘You don’t get it, do you? It’s a going squeak – squeak – squeak. It should be going squeak, squeak, squeak, so get moving a bit.’
Looking around Willie saw he had been parked next to a cement mixer.
‘Oh no! Not mortar duty, these bricklayers a red hot and on piece work. It’s gonna be a long afternoon, at least I’ll get a shower and a shot of WD40 on my axle. He was proved right and lost track of how many trips he made until clocking-off time.
‘See you all tomorrow lads shouted his handler, I’m off for a pint.’
‘Don’t have too many Alf, busy day tomorrow.’
Willie groaned.
A few weeks later the housing estate was completed, and the building crew left to start a new project.
Tools were left behind including Willie. The houses were sold, and one owner looked at Willie and decided his next stop would be the Council recycling tip.
He was spotted by a man tipping some old garden planters. Seizing his chance, the man loaded Willie onto his pickup and drove home.
‘What is that? You were supposed to get rid of rubbish, not bring more home.' Screeched his wife.
‘’Don’t fret I have plans,’ he replied.
Taking up a wire brush he gave Willie a good scrub before drilling a few drain holes. Two coats of waterproof paint gave Willie a new smart appearance. A plastic liner with more drainage was inserted and filled with compost.
A visit to the nursery to buy plants and Willie soon became a thing of beauty. Being mobile he was soon a valuable asset to his new home. Willie was, at last, able to relax.
The spring flowers soon faded, and the bulbs were lifted for storage until the autumn. The bulbs were piled into a bucket and transported to the shed.
Willie thought. 'I know that bucket.'
The new bedding plants arrived, carried by the bucket.
'Oh My! it's Billy isn't it?'
'Well, blow me,' said Billy, 'it's Willie. You've been smartened up.'
'Yes, Billy. What is it like here?'
'It's OK, they're a nice couple but watch out for barbecue nights, some of the guests get a bit tipsy and you could have onions and mustard thrown on you.'
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