What’s cooking on the stove? Purple berry jam? Syrup?
It’s spring time and the mulberries are ripening.
Maya is impressed with the net Asher has rigged to catch berries as they fall.
Look how well it works!
The berries are even funnelled into a bowl (with a little help).
Still, some land up on the grass. You can pick them up before you squoosh them underfoot.
Or you can climb up into the tree…
…and pick them straight off from where they hang amongst the leaves.
Asher is in his element in amongst the screen of rough green leaves.
“I’m putting on lipstick.”
“Doesn’t that look cool?”
“I’m a Red Indian!”
“Me too!”
Look how many mulberries Asher has collected.
The mulberry stains don’t wash off that easily. Do you see how the swimming pool water has turned a little pink?
There are some very hungry silkworms in a shoe box.
“Let’s pick them some nice, fresh leaves.”
Mulberry leaves are silkworms’ favourite food.
Aaaah, that’s better.
Silkworms are such funny creatures.
Look how they cling to Maya’s fingers.
Asher helps a silkworm to find its way to fresh food.
Ella has come home. Actually, the silkworms are hers.
She likes to check on them in the cool shade of the fig tree.
She places a silkworm on her nose.
Where are you going, little man?
Bridging across my nose, I suppose
Don’t fall off, now.
Here, try my forehead.
It’s a puzzling thing for worm and girl. (See the question mark upside down.)
Ella places the worm back in the shoe box.
Safely back home.
Tomorrow there will be a whole lot more mulberries, ripe and ready.
Splat!
My thanks to Asher, Maya and Ella