Short Stories in the Shuswap

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Strawberries!
by Helen Stoddart

For several years Leslie (my sister) and I tried growing strawberries in our raised garden beds. We had raged a constant battle against the slugs that were relentless. I came up with the idea that we put some plants in large pots which would raise the plants above the ground and allow us to move them into the sun.

We watered and feed the strawberry plants and watched the little berries grow. The strawberries started to turn red, so we moved the pots closer to the house and every morning checked for pests, added food, and watered as needed.

As the day drew closer we started to anticipate the luscious, big red berries. One more day we figured then we would feast.

Next day we got up early and went out to the strawberries. What we saw would make anybody weep. Somebody had gotten there before us and stripped off all the strawberries, even the white unripe ones! The evidence was there on the path. Racoon paw prints!

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