Out here in corn country there is a legend that the ghosts of all the children lost in the corn fields come out at night and roam the rows, crying piteously. Probably rattling fences, and shaking corn stalks together. Though no-one I talk to can remember a child getting actually lost in the corn fields. Everybody’s grandmother was full of dreadful stories.
I think that this legend was preached loudly by mothers terrified of their children wandering off and losing their way in the fields. Using fear to make sure they stay in the yard. Much like my mother telling us that sharks came in close to shore to feed at night to prevent us from skinny dipping in the sea after dark. And the Maori grandmothers spoke of Taniwha in the deepest fastest parts of the rivers, and the worst riptides on the beaches. (The presence of a Taniwha is treated with huge respect in New Zealand because there is a lot more to the taniwha legends than meets the eye. They are not ghosts. The Maori people of New Zealand have an oral history. And in my memory of these stories the Taniwha bears an uncanny resemblance to a dragon).
Though I did not use these old terror stories, I did hear myself giving the children a serious lecture about ONLY going into the corn field with an adult and if you get lost Stay where you are and call out and if you have to walk do Not cross the rows. Walk to the end of your row and you will come out somewhere.
And then very slowly, holding hands and almost tip toeing we fed ourselves through the wardrobe of corn stalks and into the dim hushed under world of the corn field.
We simply sat in there for a long time. And talked quietly, then without realising it we all fell into a quietness, just breathing and listening. Completely enclosed in huge corn stalks. The dogs, Miss A, Mr N and Kristy from Eat,Play,Love and I.
This is not their first visit. They are getting to be old hands helping with the animals. But Kristy told me this is the first time she has stepped into the depths of a corn field. Her grandmother had forbidden her when she was little. Told her stories of the ghost children. And that rule had stayed – lodged. We all survived though and came out smiling.
They helped me shift the chickens into their new home. The stock trailer (sometimes called the Black Mariah). It is has a nice happy job now. It is draft free in there and the chicks are warm with their light but I hope they were OK. Though big birds now, with feathers and everything, it was in the 50’s last night. I shall pop out when the sun comes up and check them.
Miss A and her rabbly troops.
Good morning. Kristy held the camera for me while I emptied the pig’s water bucket and could not resist a shot of miss c. I know you can only see five. but There are six piglets in this shot. Can you see number 6? Think dreadlocks!
We had a great day as you can imagine. Adult company for me and dog company for the young ones. Fantastic pizzas. Interestingly Kristy told me that Miss A has only begun to eat eggs since she came here and gathered them from the chook house herself last time. When she was picking with her bowl in the gardens yesterday she was eating (with permission) the tiny grape tomatoes. Later she asked her mother if maybe this is what big tomatoes tasted like? Yes, said her mother. Do you want to try one? Sure. Said the little girl. I might like them now. So there you are. The magic of the vegetable garden!
It is going to be clear and sunny here again today. But it is still cool. In fact the swimming pool is steaming. I can see its misty fingers sifting into the sunrise.
Have a lovely day.
Your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
61 responses to “Children of the Corn”
Photos from a wonderful day: what an experience for the kids to walk amongst the corn, feed those HUGE piglets and move the lively chickies! BUT, my heart goes out to Boo: that darling boy looks as if hit about the head with a baseball bat . . . Oh, had a laugh about the ‘Black Maria’: do the Americans have the same term 🙂 ?
I have always pronounced it Marae ah.. so thought that Maraiah was the way to spell it.. weirdly i have never seen it written. I am not sure if anyone but you and i got the reference but no-one out here has questioned me about its name.. and I never even thought they would not know,i shall ask right now! morning eha! ni ni! c
Ni ni, beautiful lady: we do spell the term such in Australia, but pronounce it as in ‘Mariah Carey’ . . . big hug 🙂 !
I got the Black Maria reference too. and had a laugh 🙂
@ EllaDee: laughing – But we won’t ‘tell’em’ ? 🙂 !
mercy no!!
My friend Bruce Anderson speak oftem of his NZ ancestors Maori .
Thank you again for the wonderful visit Celi (and the walk in the corn!). We had such a good time as you know. Your shots are just wonderful. The kids loved looking at them today as well. Miss A already misses the farmy and especially Ton. She adores him. I’ve not seen her take to a dog like that before. She said she wishes she could see him every day. 🙂 Already looking forward to the next visit. Here’s hoping we’re in for some nice calm, quiet days ahead as summer winds down. Thank you again.
We had ‘Black Mariahs’ in Dublin (Ireland) too. I was a city girl and would have loved an opportunity to visit a farm like yours.
Thanks to Kristy for getting that shot of you. 🙂 Miss A is learning quite a lot from Miss C. What joy you bring, not only to your visitors, but to us, as well.
Wonderful photos Cecilia. That first shot in the corn field is just magical.
Your blog is one of the few I read ‘from cover to cover’. It’s like living in the country (except that I live in the inner city). It reminds me of all that’s good in a rural, natural environment and how precious our farmers are to our way of life.
Vicki, thank you so much for such a lovely comment. it honestly makes my heart warm that i have such support and care from beautiful people like you. Lovely.. c
My grandfather would take us into the corn fields at night to hear the corn growing (before the tassels form) I passed this on to my children and now my grandchild. We also told them to not cross rows just walk to the end of your row and you will be found.
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Welll at least for a beach girl i told them the right thing, good on your grandad, must be amazing to have all those generations go before you in the same area.. c
It’s a godo job you have those faithful dogs 😉
That first shot of Miss A is absolutely magical!
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