Micia’s adventures in the vegetable garden, the hayloft and the farmhouse attic.

• 19 October 2026 #15 A Break Beneath the Cherry Tree After helping Molly at the drinking trough, Micia took a little basket and met Roby, the tabby cat, on the dirt road climbing behind the pasture. They wanted to bring Grandma a few ripe cherries. Oaks and sweet chestnuts grew on either side. Farther up stood an enormous cherry tree: its trunk was broad, its branches stretched over the road, and pairs of red fruit gleamed among the leaves. Beside the tree, grapevines ran along low wooden supports, with broad leaves, curling tendrils and bunches of black grapes. “That shade looks made for a rest,” Roby said. Micia picked a few cherries from a low branch and put them in her basket. Then she set it on the path to rest her paws. Its bottom sat at an angle. One cherry slipped out and began rolling downhill. Roby stopped it with a paw. “This one wants to reach the farmhouse before we do.” Micia picked up the basket, frustrated. “Can’t we even sit down?” Tobia, the white Maremma sheepdog, appeared from behind the trunk. He was looking for a cool spot too. “There’s a level patch of earth between those two roots.” Micia tried it. The basket stayed still, sheltered beside the trunk. She sat on the broadest root while Roby settled in the grass. The road kept climbing ahead of them, but there was no hurry here. Tobia lay down beside Roby, stretching his paws out on the grass. “Now the cherries can have a rest too.” Micia looked at the basket and smiled. When they set off again, she held it with both paws. At the farmhouse, Grandma washed the fruit and put some in a bowl. Micia told her about the runaway cherry. “Luckily, Roby reminded it that snacks are better together.” Read the tale →

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