The Teacher Tull went to the first plant on the downward sloping terrain. The old Drelve sang in a low soothing voice. The plant curled its leaves and pulled in its barely visible needle-like thorns. The old Drelve then tenderly touched the spine of the upper leaves of the plant. The Enhancing Plant pulled its limbs upward and inward. This in effect changed the plant from a full bush to a thin narrow plant. Tull then removed a small spade from his pack and knelt to the base of the plant. He delicately inserted the spade into the ground and moved the digging instrument around the base of the plant. He gently pulled the entire plant from the soil, held it aloft, and exposed its roots to the graying light. The gray light from Andreas concentrated on the roots. The entire plant emitted a gray aura. Tull expertly exposed several thumbnail sized tubers dangling from the uncovered roots. He gently pulled the tubers from the roots, but very carefully left one of the tubers undisturbed. He then gently stroked the roots of the plant and carefully placed the plant back on the soft dark ground. The Enhancing Plant’s roots plunged back into the soil. Tull sang again, and the little bush expanded its branches and reopened its red flowers.
“That’s how it’s done,” the Teacher said matter-of-factly. “Disturb only the plants with flowers. That’s the sign that the roots bear mature tubers. Once we have harvested, I’ll tell you more of the Thirttene Friends.”
benjamintowe 