Friendly Life Forms

WOT believed gardening would be a quiet Earth activity.

The process appeared simple enough. Humans place small living things into soil, pour water onto them, wait patiently, and experience satisfaction when the plants become larger versions of themselves.

WOT approved of this system immediately.

He selected three small plants and carefully arranged them beside his chair. He acquired miniature gardening tools after observing that humans become strangely attached to specialised equipment for even the smallest tasks.

WOT had intended to spend the afternoon concentrating entirely on plant growth.

This did not happen.

Shortly after beginning, a snail arrived.

The snail moved so slowly that WOT first mistook it for a decorative object. Yet over several hours it travelled an extraordinary distance using methods WOT still struggles to understand. The creature carried its home on its back at all times, which WOT considered both efficient and emotionally reassuring.

WOT became fascinated.

He delayed gardening activities in order to observe the snail more carefully.

Then came the insects.

Some flew in perfect spirals for reasons unknown. Others landed briefly on leaves before departing again with apparent urgency. One very small life form spent seventeen minutes attempting to climb the handle of WOT’s trowel before falling asleep halfway up.

WOT postponed gardening again.

Further observations revealed that Earth contains an overwhelming number of tiny beings all performing mysterious tasks simultaneously.

Ants transporting objects much larger than themselves.
Beetles wearing armour.
Moths repeatedly investigating lights despite obvious disappointment.
Small birds shouting at absolutely nothing visible.

WOT concluded that Earth’s smallest creatures may be its busiest.

The plants themselves eventually became secondary to the life surrounding them.

WOT attempted several times to resume gardening duties, but each effort was interrupted by another remarkable discovery. A ladybird with impossible colours. A spider constructing geometric architecture overnight. A caterpillar transforming slowly into an entirely different creature without any visible concern.

WOT recorded this carefully.

Humans often describe gardens as places where plants grow.

WOT suspects gardens are actually gathering places for thousands of life forms quietly distracting one another.

The plants survived regardless.

WOT considers this encouraging.