BY GRETCHEN KEEFER
Copyright is held by the author. Tip the writer!
GRANIK SMILED. It was really a smirk, a self-satisfied curving of his thin lips. These strangers had nothing to offer the more technologically advanced Brankins. The old sage knew how he would advise the council tonight.
The strangers called their planet “Earth”. When they described their solar system as nine planets around a small yellow star, with an asteroid belt between planets four and five, Granik remembered visiting it. Not exactly visiting. The Brankins knew they would stand out too much with their tall, thin bodies, pale, almost translucent, skin and poor vision. (They also had two opposable thumbs on each hand, but those could be easily hidden.)
The solar system stood out in Granik’s memory for several reasons. He was young, on his first mission, keenly observing everything that came up. That nineth planet had a wonky orbit, the huge gas giants with many moons were worthless, and that third planet, the one called “Earth”, was mostly water. Atmosphere and water were both dirty. There was a myriad of short-range communications satellites orbiting the planet, but no indication of additional space exploration. When the Brankins monitored the visual broadcasts coming from the planet, they noted a great deal of violence the inhabitants were inflicting on each other. The Brankins had decided this was not a planet ready to work with others.
Now, 200 years later, the Earthlings (as they called themselves) appeared to have overcome much of that violence. The five members of the visiting crew consisted of several races who were working well together. While it had taken most of the first day, the visitors had finally found a way to communicate with the Brankins. They did not know many other languages, but one had matched something an underling of Granik’s was familiar with. With additional help from pictures, diagrams and signals, the Brankins’ computer was able to begin effective translation.
The Earthlings’ space transport was small and, by Brankin standards, primitive. Although they hadn’t travelled far, they were slow, and by the time they reached Brankin, they were in need of repairs and replenishing. The Brankins generously offered to help the Earthlings and delighted in showing them all the advanced technology they possessed. The Earthlings were impressed, especially with the soil enhancements. Brankin could produce three crops each year before the cold season.
One of the female Earthlings requested the opportunity to experiment with the soil. She wondered if the enhancements would also positively affect Earth seeds. While touring a local farm, she asked the grower for a small space to plant some vegetables. Back in the city, at the residence allotted to the Earthlings, she requested three pots of the soil and planted more seeds. Brankins and Earthlings were pleased with the prompt results. The plants sprouted rapidly and were thriving.
Granik was sure the Earthlings would ask for the soil enhancement technology, as well as weapons, communication technology and more efficient space flight. He was sure the Council would never share weapons, and he was not sure about sharing any other information with the strangers. What could they possibly offer in return?
***
At the end of the fourth day, when the plants Tissa had placed outside their residence were budding, Bendon asked her, “What’s your plan with the vegetation? People are already stopping by to look at them. Why carrots, and why petunias, for Pete’s sake?” One of Tissa’s responsibilities on the trip was to check out how well plants did in zero gravity. She knew plants.
“I chose carrots because of the Brankins terrible eyesight. They are all wearing heavy vision enhancements.”
Klaas snorted. “Their ‘enhancements’ are the biggest goggles I’ve ever seen!”
Tissa continued, “Their diet apparently is lacking in necessary vitamins. Haven’t you noticed how uncolourful their food is? It can’t hurt to provide them with more yellow and orange food. As for the petunias,” she sighed, “they grow fast and are colourful. These people need more colour.”
“In your opinion.”
“Yes, in my opinion. Perhaps they really like the bland muted pastels, greys and browns that surround them.”
“Maybe they can’t see anything else,” offered Klaas. Some of his crew mates snickered in agreement.
Bendon was thoughtful. “You know we can’t match their technology with anything Earth has. Were you thinking of offering seeds?”
“It’s a possibility. It may be all we have to offer.”
Nkorma made another suggestion and the entire crew reacted with enthusiasm. They could take advantage of the planet’s extensive communication system to broadcast information about Earth. Then, the Earthlings might be able to make a suitable impression.
The next day the petunias Tissa had in front of their residence opened up. The cheerful red, white, purple and blue petals sat jauntily amid their green leaves. Passersby stopped to admire the display. Tissa answered questions and observed reactions. So far so good.
Granik finally came over. “What are these?”
“Flowers,” Tissa said, “specifically petunias. We have many different kinds of flowers.”
“Are they edible?”
“These are not, although some flowers can be food and most give off a pleasant fragrance.”
“Do they make medicine?” The Brankins had long ago learned about and replicated plant medicines for their own use.
“No, these do not.”
The old man was puzzled. In his experience all plants had a purpose to support the people. Fruit trees had flowers, although not so colourful and they quickly became young fruit, vegetable buds were tiny, medicinal plants were mostly green and woody. “Then what is their purpose?”
Tissa smiled. This was her favourite part. “Their purpose is to please the eye and gladden the heart. They are meant to be sources of loveliness in the world.”
Granik shook his head. That was not a purpose. He then explained why he was there, “I have come to take you to the agriculturalist where you planted the . . .” he paused at the unfamiliar word, “care-otts. He is wondering if they are ready.”
Klaas went with Tissa; Mai Lin kept watch over the flowers; the others were at the space port still working with the Brankins on their ship. The farmer was eager to harvest the vegetables. “Those greens look delicious,” he said.
“They are,” Tissa said, “but the important vegetable is really the long orange root. These need a little more time to grow larger.” She pulled up an example that was about four inches long. She cleaned off the dirt and bit a piece of the carrot. “Here, try this.”
***
Both the grower and Granik looked dubiously at the unknown food. They nibbled a little and Granik took the remaining root for testing. “Not bad,” said the agricultural expert, “crisp and crunchy, a little sweet.” He asked Tissa how to determine when the others would be ready to harvest, and how to collect the seeds for future use. Granik watched, intrigued by the piece of root he held in his hand. He had not eaten orange vegetables before. If the lab tests were positive, this food may be useful.
There was excitement in the city when Granik and the Earthlings returned. People were gathered outside the house around the petunias, which were now spreading out beyond the edges of the pots. Others were looking at their video screens and exclaiming in delight. Granik asked a woman what was happening. She showed him her screen, “See, they have more flau-ers. This is a basket full of the pe-tun-e-yas. Here are other flau-ers. Here is a ‘garden’ full of them.”
Granik was amazed at the variety of colours and shapes. As he looked around at the crowd, he saw pleasure and happiness in all the faces. Apparently, the Earthlings had uploaded pictures of Earth flowers and gardens to the planetary communication system. Comments and questions came from all over the planet. One of the most prevalent comments was “How can I get some of these?” There were dozens of similar messages waiting for him at his office. And, a message that the Council meeting was to start in a few moments.
“Well, Granik, what have you learned about these Earthlings?”
“How are they causing such commotion?”
“Do you realize the entire planetary communications grid was down for two hours this afternoon? Most of the population is sending pictures to one another!”
“Regional governors and other officials have been calling us, demanding to know what to tell the local people.”
“What do these strangers have to offer?”
“Can we use these ‘flau-ers’? Are they good to eat?”
The Council members had questions and were waiting for their experienced sage to supply the answers.
Granik was less sure of himself now. He thought carefully and stalled, saying he was waiting for the lab report on the vegetable. Quickly the Council members rushed through other business and, too soon, turned back to Granik for the long-awaited answers.
His hand shook. He held the lab report in one hand and a sheaf of intra-planetary messages in the other. He cleared his throat. “Esteemed Brankin Council Members. Because of my many years of experience and training, you look to me for advice. I appreciate your trust in me and my knowledge. I offer what I can in the way of guidance. I humbly ask for your indulgence for my lack of knowledge in this case.”
“Come on, Granik, tell us what you know.”
Granik nodded, acknowledging the members’ impatience. “I have here a laboratory report on the nature of the vegetable, the ‘care-ott’, which the Earthlings planted for us.” He paused and looked again at the slip of paper in his hand. “It appears the vegetable, while unusual, is healthy and tasty. It also contains compounds . . .” Granik looked more closely at the lab report,
“. . . compounds that promote wound healing and,” he paused again, “. . . are beneficial to vision, especially night vision.”
The Council erupted in exclamations and chatter. The president called for order and calmed the members. “Let’s hear what else Granik has to say.”
Granik moved to safer ground. “The Earthlings’ technology is inferior to ours. They have nothing to offer us in that area. They have suggested there may be mutual benefit in defense. However, our weapons also surpass theirs by far. Theirs would not be an aid against, for example, the Horath,” naming a large system many light years away. “The Earthlings have also requested our soil enhancement technology. I suggest we may offer that to them, in exchange for . . . in exchange for the ‘care-ott’ seeds, and other potentially useful vegetables.”
Granik sat down, still shaking. He hoped to avoid the topic of flowers, but the council members did not let him rest.
“What about the flau-ers? My wife specifically asked that we try to obtain them.”
A female member seconded the request and added, “There are requests coming from all over the planet for these plants. What do we know about them? How useful are they?”
Granik slowly stood again and faced the Council. “As I have heard, most of the flau-ers are not edible. Some are even poisonous. Nor are many medicinal. The, ah, flau-ers are meant only to be pretty.” He sat down. That should end the discussion. The flowers had no use.
A chubby member laughed. “My wife is pretty, but she offers much more than looks.” Several other male members tittered in agreement. The female council members nodded and smiled knowingly.
Then one female held up a picture of a flamboyant orange and blue Bird-of-Paradise plant, the orange fronds standing up like the feathers on a bird’s crest. “This plant is quite striking. Is not decoration a use?”
The Council members embarked on a heated discussion on what constituted “usefulness” and the advisability of obtaining foreign plants. It was several hours before they finalized their decision regarding trade with the Earthlings.
***
The Earth crew gathered to celebrate their last night on Brankin. The ship was ready to travel, and a satisfactory trade agreement had been negotiated. Bendon said, “The Brankins improved our ventilation system and updated the fuel consumption monitor. We did gain some technology after all.” His companions grinned and congratulated one another. “We also have the soil enhancement system in exchange for a few plants. They can have whatever they want, taking climate needs into consideration.” Again, the crew responded with grins and jovial back-slapping.
Bendon continued, “Nkorma, your idea to flood the communication grid with pictures of flowers appeared to be the tipping point. Congratulations, and thank you.”
The tall, soft-spoken man nodded modestly.
“Everyone, well done. For our first venture into space, we did quite well. Extra rations tonight!”
***
In the morning, Granik walked through the crowds still admiring the petunias. The people were cheerful, happily visiting with one another and sharing pictures. A spot of colour in an upstairs window drew his attention. The citizen who resided there had enlarged one of the colourful flower pictures and placed it in his window. Granik heard several people comment on the picture, some indicating they would do something similar at their homes. He remembered what Tissa had said. The flowers are meant to “please the eye and gladden the heart.” It seemed the population was happy with the colourful plants. Granik smiled, a full-face wide grin of happiness.
***
After teaching English to adult non-English speakers for a long time, Gretchen Keefer started writing short fiction for fun. She enjoys visiting family and travelling, but is always glad to return to the quiet stimulation of writing. Gretchen has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Rain Magazine, CommuterLit.com, Ariel Chart.com, Particular Passages: Decked Halls, and some local anthologies.