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”
Well my sister did get lost in the cornfield by our house when she was about 2-3 years old. She wouldn’t answer our calls and freaked my mom out. We each took 6 rows to look for her (I’m a bit older than my sister). Our collie was the one who found her, he was a wonderful dog. Kept same sister from getting to the highway when she was younger. I got a lecture about playing in the cornfield when she was out in the yard, as we didn’t have a fence around the yard. It was my escape place. There was always a spot where the planter skipped and there would be a bare circle where I could hide in my corn cave away from said little sister, usually with the collie and my model horses. Mr. Boo looks no the worse from his little operation. I think you could have a new hairstyle trend starting there, hocklocks.
Hocklocks!! too funny! Grid searching in the corn field. The yards don’t have fences around here either, I love the idea of your little corn cave.. c
What a lovely day for making great memories. Thank you for sharing. You made me smile about the children finding out how good something tastes from the garden. Our kids always loved standing near the corn when the bees werer working, listening to the hum. Very interesting about Taniwha. Lovely pics. too!
It was as if I was reading a fairy tale from the Brothers Grimm. A fairy tale complete with a golden haired princess. BEL’OCCHIO (the Beautiful Eye) – taking pleasure in the small things in life. V.
i was wondering why you had pigs feet sticking out of your hair!
Love the magic of a garden on kiddos. My 2 1/2 year old daughter will only eat tomatoes from the garden. Won’t touch tomatoes from the store or in a restaurant. 🙂
I had never thought one could get lost in a corn field until I read about it on American blogs. That’s a joke to entertain I think. A dog can find anyone in 10 minutes. These kids look like angels, of course you don’t want to lose them. At their age and a little older, with my devilish buddies, we feared being caught red hands in the corn fields. The most popular misfit was the competition to have our crop circles passing at the national news. Without the good tools, we never achieved more than a ridiculously thin broken line. There was still an audience for that. My teachers really believed that was a mysterious thing.
C– have you not read “Children of the Corn”? It’s a short story by Stephen King and will scare your hair straight!!! I love those piggies.
No i haven’t read it but I know some kids who saw the movie and are STILL scared.. c
Cinders, you and Miss A. look like mother and daughter, with your beautiful blond curls-minus the piggy locks and the red T’s! 🙂
One cornfield suddenly becomes a wonderous mysterious place…your words tingle with adventure of the unknown..fantastic post as always and l could see piggy 6
Farm magic. How nice those kids will have walked corn fields and listened ti life and things growing. What a gift.
Miss A’s hair is the color of corn silk
(and thanks for watching the feed…it’s a bit creepy to feed critters food made of relatives…shiver)
A great post today, Celi! Good to see that Mr N & Miss A were the children from the city you wrote about in yesterday’s post. I’m sure they enjoyed the day. And nothing could get Boo’s mind off of his “troubles” than a couple children to distract him. I cannot believe how quickly those chicks have grown. They’re already sprouting chicken feathers! That was fast!
Gorgeous day, having children around just makes everything a bit more magical, doesn’t it? xx
How wonderful for those children to have such a day. The cornfield feels magical, and the children are learning the taste of healthy food. This is such a good news post!
Wow, those kids are adorable! 😉
Kristy and Mr. N and Miss A raved about the wonderful time they had when they got home last night. Thanks for sending them back with Eggplant too.
hey there Chef Dad, I am glad everyone enjoyed themselves as much as I did, so what does it take to drag a ChefDad down to the dubious country! c
A llittle Grape Crush perchance?
This is a wonderful Photo Cecilia
Sorry I meant the top one in particular!
Thank you, very photogenic children!