Alex

= Vasili =

I remember when that garden was built. I wish I could go down there and plant something. But there are many problems. First of all, I am 83 years old and live on the top floor of my apartment. I can’t be walking up and down the stairs every day. Also, I have a goat named Yani. He sits by the door and sleeps there. He will get out if I open the door and I would have to run after him. Like I said, I am 83 years old. It would have been a lot easier when I was 23 years old and lived in Greece. Yani use to go wherever he wanted in Greece. It didn’t matter if he got out. But, if you live in Cleveland and let your pet get out, good luck getting it back, alive. I really want to plant something like I did back in Greece. I planted some nice grapes and olives. But you can't plant any of those in the garden. The climate is different here in Cleveland than it is in Greece. But I still like cucumbers. I have loved cucumbers ever since I arrived in America. I have them every day. So juicy. I like juicy stuff. I want to plant my own cucumbers so I don't have to go through all the trouble to get some. The next morning, at about 7:30, I slowly got out of bed. I put on my clothes last night because whenever Yani hears the slightest noise he comes running over. I didn't want that to happen. I walked to the door and surprisingly Yani couldn't be found at the door. That was a stroke of luck. I slowly and carefully walked to the door and opened it. But I forgot my door was as loud as it can be. The hinges are squeaky. Of course the door was loud and I saw Yani running towards me at full speed. I quickly rushed out the door and slammed it shut. A few seconds after that, I Heard Yani slam into the door. "Baa!", "Thud!", "Baa!", "Thud!" I waited a few seconds to see if Yani was alright. He is pretty old. I wish I could do something but if he is ok and I open the door Yani would get out. After a few seconds I heard him stumble away. I went across the hall to Apartment 5-D where my friend Anna lives. She always gets me my goat food for Yani. She is always so nice to me. She is the only one I really talk to in Cleveland. She got me some gardening tools from the gardening shop down the street. I took the stairs down to the lobby and rushed out the door. This was the first time I've been out in 13 years. I couldn't believe the town was in worse shape than before. All the windows were covered up with wood and the homes looked abandoned. But it still felt good to finally get outside again and get some fresh air instead of that dusty, dirty air. I hope I can do this every day. I walked across the street and tried to find a spot to plant my cucumbers. It was almost full. I never knew that so many people wanted to plant something. It seemed like everyone would just stay inside and never want to go outside. I kept searching and searching until I finally found this spot right next to someone named Curtis. I heard he was planting some tomatoes for a woman. I don't know why that would get attention from a girl. Back in the old day, you would just talk to them. But I don't see anyone else planting vegetables for girls so I guess he is just different. I was planting my cucumbers when I heard something. "Baa!" It was Yani! He got out! How did this happen? I quickly rushed over and saw Yani. He was munching on a can. I slowly walked over there and Yani ran off! There was no way that I was going to be able to catch a goat. He was four times faster than me. I would be lucky if I could catch him if he was walking. After about ten minutes of trying to catch Yani I sat down and took a rest. Then I saw Curtis walk over with the goat on a leash. I couldn't believe that he caught the goat. Curtis tied the goat to a pole right next to my plants where he couldn't get away. Now I could bring Yani outside with me every day. Curtis and I talked and I figured out he was such a nice man. He even agreed to help me with my plant and with Yani if he ever got loose again. I have learned two important things. One, don't judge people by what they plant. Two, don’t say people will never help you because they usually do.