Vegetables Galore Take a Trip to the Farm: The sequel to Vegetables Galore and the Mystery behind the Library Door

By Kate S. Taylor

The Sproutlings go on a Sprouts School Geography trip to Budleaves Farm where they learn about the principles of organic farming and have their first experience of home baking real food. Meanwhile, the Corn Council is about to hold a meeting on making changes to Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob's home Cornfield, which divides opinions amongst the Vege

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kate S. Taylor
• Release date: Nov 8, 2023
• ISBN: 9781805414124

Book preview

Chapter 1

The Sproutlings were sitting together contentedly slurping their smoothies in the Juicy Juicerie. Kaspian Celeriac and Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob were drinking Very Berry Bonanza smoothies, Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot were sipping Greenest-Grass-on-this-Side juices, and Tobias Tomato and Ollie Onion Allium were enjoying Simply-the-Best-Banana smoothies. They ordered the same drinks every time, and Kaspian Celeriac made everyveg promise that the next time they ordered drinks at Juicy Juicerie, they would try something different. Everyveg reluctantly agreed. If we have a different ‘bonus topping’, does that count? suggested Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob, who was perfectly happy with her Very Berry Bonanza smoothie and did not feel the need to try anything else. The Sproutlings said they would think about it, which satisfied Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob.

Their topic of conversation was mainly about the mysterious Sprouts School trip that was planned for this term. At the Sprouts School Parents evening, the Headmaster, Chancellor Cabbage, and Boudica Broccoli the Geography Teacher, had hinted there was going to be an exciting school trip, and the Sproutlings were trying to guess what and where it was going to be. It must be something to do with Geography otherwise Boudica Broccoli would not have been asked to tell our Parents about it, said Tobias Tomato intelligently. "I wonder if it is so far away that we will need to get there on an aerovegplane," said Coral Carrot aloud. Kaspian Celeriac thought it unlikely as getting there would take too much time. Ollie Onion Allium suggested it could be to somewhere they had learned about in their Geography lessons last term, but Marigold Carrot gently reminded him that they had learned about the Wonders of the World and the weather, which meant it would have to be a trip very far away or very high up in the sky. Ollie Onion Allium smiled at the thought of going into the sky for a school trip, while Marigold Carrot thought to herself how much more relaxed and less tearful Ollie Onion Allium seemed to be now that he had joined their friendship group.

Speaking of going high up, said Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob, Tobias Tomato, how is asparagus spear-throwing going? Tobias Tomato’s face lit up. He was quite a shy Sproutling, but last term, he had discovered an unexpected talent for sport. Tobias Tomato never discussed it unless he was asked, however, Sasha-Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob was a strong swimmer so she liked to talk about sports with Tobias Tomato. It’s really good; I am really enjoying it. Lavinia Lemonia is teaching me some different styles of throwing and helping me with my run-up. She said I might be able to enter a competition soon if I want to, Tobias Tomato declared, blushing puce-red as he was unable to hide his excitement. That’s terrific, Tobi! exclaimed all the Sproutlings. We will definitely come and cheer you on when you enter a competition, promised Marigold Carrot. And if you like, we can ask Mama Carrot to make you a fun energising snack, added Coral Carrot. Mama Carrot was a Chef and Coral Carrot had been telling the Sproutlings that she wanted to develop recipes for all sorts of occasions, so she would be very happy to have the task of creating a fun energising snack for Tobias Tomato’s sports practice.

By this time, the Sproutlings had all finished their drinks and were preparing to depart Juicy Juicerie. As they got up from their table, the door to Juicy Juicerie swung open and an unusual yet familiar whiff filled the café, signalling the arrival of Mrs and Griselda Garlic Allium.

The Sproutlings remembered that the Garlic Alliums received special treatment in Juicy Juicerie because Mr Garlic Allium had invested some money to help the café stay in business. So, although the Sproutlings were grateful to the Garlic Alliums for saving their favourite café, the atmosphere always changed when they walked in. On this occasion, Griselda Garlic Allium gave Ollie Onion Allium a withering look and completely ignored the other Sproutlings despite being in their class at Sprouts School. The Sproutlings were perfectly okay with being ignored since Griselda Garlic Allium had tried to get them into trouble last term when they were investigating what was behind the Library Door. However, they did feel sad for Ollie Onion Allium because Griselda Garlic Allium was a part of his Allium family, and since switching friendship groups, all the Alliums had become very unfriendly to Ollie Onion Allium. This only made the Sproutlings befriend him more, and Marigold Carrot slipped her arm through Ollie Onion Allium’s and they walked arm-in-arm out the door, leaving Juicy Juicerie to the dulcet tones of Mrs Garlic Allium ordering a Tantalising Tropical Treat smoothie with extra chia seeds on top. "Remind me not to try that drink next time, said Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob sarcastically as the Sproutlings walked back towards their own homes, parting at the crossroads with a group wave and a See you at Sprouts next week."

Upon parting from their friends, Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot made their way towards their own home. As usual, they entered the kitchen to a potpourri of smells which signalled that Mama Carrot was developing recipes again. Mama Carrot, asked Coral Carrot, could you develop a fun snack which is good for keeping energy up during a sports competition? Mama Carrot thought about this for a moment and said it was perfectly possible that she could develop a fun snack for this purpose. It is for Tobias Tomato … Marigold Carrot added to give the request some context. Mama Carrot was good friends with Tobias Tomato’s Mum Tomato and had been very helpful to her when Tobias Tomato’s Dad Tomato had been ‘Ketchupped’ and gone over to the Ketchup side, so the Carrot Twins thought if Mama Carrot knew the recipe was for Tobias Tomato, she might fast-track the project to the top of her To-Do list. Having gained Mama Carrot’s agreement, Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot settled down for the rest of the afternoon, exchanging ideas about the mysterious Sprouts School Geography trip and getting more excited by the day about starting their second term at Sprouts School for Vegetablae.

Chapter 2

The following morning, Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot awoke early, eager to arrive at school promptly for the first day of their second term at Sprouts School for Vegetablae. The Carrot Twins hurriedly washed their fronds, dressed in their finest clothes, (as usual Coral Carrot wore yellow and Marigold Carrot wore orange to contrast with their carrot colours), and headed up to the kitchen where they gulped down their nutritious breakfast of warm porridge oats, blueberries and a pinch of cinnamon, to the tune of Mama Carrot scolding them for eating too quickly and Papa Carrot looking on in amusement. Give my regards to Cab, said Papa Carrot as he walked out the door on his way to work. Last term, Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot had discovered that ‘Cab’ was the nickname Papa Carrot had given Chancellor Cabbage when they were both at Sprouts School together, and that they had formed a secret society called ‘The Carbageers’. Mama Carrot was about to scold Papa Carrot for distracting his daughters when they were in a hurry to get to school, but on seeing that Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot were now ready to depart, she gave their fronds one last comb followed by a quick hug and wished them a good first day back at Sprouts School.

Coral Carrot and Marigold Carrot left their house in high spirits. They knew they were early and were therefore surprised to meet Tobias Tomato and Kaspian Celeriac en route to school. The Carrot Twins greeted the boys, and they travelled the rest of the journey together. Do you think we will find out about the school trip today? asked Tobias Tomato. Maybe, said Kaspian Celeriac noncommittally. Since their Parents had not given any more clues about it, the Sproutlings were still no nearer to discovering where the trip was going to be.

At that moment, Ollie Onion Allium joined the group. Hello, Ollie Onion Allium, said Marigold Carrot. Hello, responded Ollie Onion Allium cheerfully. You will never guess what my Father told me this morning, Ollie Onion Allium said excitedly. There was a dramatic pause as the Sproutlings waited to hear what Ollie Onion Allium was going to tell them. He said our school trip is going to be to a Farm! Another pause. How do you know he was telling the truth? asked Coral Carrot quizzically. My Mother got cross with my Father, saying that it was supposed to be a secret, declared Ollie Onion Allium. The other Sproutlings looked at one another. "Well, if it is true, that will be an interesting trip, said Kaspian Celeriac diplomatically. It was not quite the tremendously exciting trip the Sproutlings had been imagining, but none of them had ever been to a Farm so it would, as Kaspian Celeriac pointed out, be ‘interesting’. Let’s wait and see if any of the Teachers mention anything today," said Marigold Carrot in an attempt to break the stalemate between scepticism of this being correct, and the slight anti-climax if it was correct.

By this time, the Sproutlings had reached the front entrance of Sprouts School, and they confidently marched into the familiar Assembly Hall. Although they were early, they were relieved to find the Peas-in-a-Pod setting out the seats for the first Assembly of the second term. The Sproutlings cheerfully greeted the Peas-in-a-Pod as they walked in, then took their seats. They did not have to wait long before the other members of Sprouts School started arriving and the Assembly Hall soon filled up. As usual, the Alliums took their seats in the very front row, however, there was one noticeable absence; there was no sign of Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob. Where do you think Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob is? asked Coral Carrot. Noveg knew, and the Sproutlings exchanged concerned glances. However, there was no time to continue the conversation because, at that moment, the Teachers started filing in. Boudica Broccoli the Geography Teacher marched in purposefully, Lavinia Lemonia the Sports Teacher bounced in even more enthusiastically than last term, whilst Professor Potato the Science Teacher hobbled in behind her, his monocle carefully perched on the bridge of his nose. There was a comical juxtaposition of these two Teachers following one another into the Assembly Hall because their agility could not be more different, however, Professor Potato had earned the respect of the Sproutlings through his endearing eccentricities and his vast knowledge of seemingly everything, so noveg made any cruel remarks about his hobble or his monocle. Last but not least came Chancellor Cabbage, proud and dignified. He made his way to the front of the Assembly Hall, and confidently took his place by the Lectern to address the school.

Welcome Back! boomed Chancellor Cabbage. I hope and trust you all had a good holiday. In order to get your lungs working and your Vagus Nerve vibrating at this early hour, let us start by singing our school hymn; Cauliflowers Fluffy. Everyveg stood up as the words to the hymn appeared behind Chancellor Cabbage to ensure everyveg could join in. The Sproutlings remembered this ‘performance’ well; there was no tune, rhythm or musical note rules to the school hymn; you just sang the words however you wished. And so, they started,

"Cauliflowers Fluffy and Cabbages Green,

Straw-ber-ries Sweeter than any I’ve seen,

Beetroots Purple and Onions White…

At that moment, Marigold Carrot happened to glance sideways, and she noticed the door to the Assembly Hall had cracked open and in crept Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob. Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob was a tall Sproutling and did not often go unnoticed, however, on this occasion, she snuck into the Assembly Hall and stood by the nearest empty chair. She was clearly trying not to be seen because she immediately fixed her eyes on the words of the school hymn and joined in without a sideways glance at anyveg.

"… all grow steadily Day and Night.

The Apples are Ripe,

The Plums are Red,

The Broad Beans are sleeping in their Blankety Beds, Shhhh."

At the end of the hymn, everyveg resumed their seats. Marigold Carrot nudged Coral Carrot, who was sitting next to her, and nodded towards Sasha Sweetcorn-on-the-Cob at the end of the