33 THE GARDEN

CHAPTER 33 THE GARDEN After inspecting the grounds, Tawny asked Roz to remove all the dried brambles and weeds and leaves from the garden area. She asked her burrowing friends, the moles and the groundhogs, to dig through the dirt and loosen the soil. And then she asked all the neighbors to do something rather peculiar. "Please leave your droppings around the Nest! The more droppings, the richer the soil, the healthier the garden." As you can imagine, Tawny's request got everyone's attention. The place was soon crawling with woodland creatures curious to hear more about the garden project. And just like that, the robot was meeting her neighbors. The plan to help her make friends was already starting to work. There was a festive feeling around the Nest that day. Animals were coming and going and chatting and laughing. After some pleasant conversation, each

第三十三章花园茶妮检查完花园后，让罗兹把花园里所有的干荆棘、杂草和叶子都移走。 她让她的穴居朋友，鼹鼠和土拨鼠，在泥土中挖洞，把土壤弄松。 然后她让所有的邻居做一件很奇怪的事。 “请把你的粪便留在鸟巢周围！”粪便越多，土壤越肥沃，花园越健康。” 可想而知，唐妮的请求引起了大家的注意。 这个地方很快就爬满了林地里的动物，它们都很好奇，想知道更多关于花园工程的消息。 就像这样，机器人去见她的邻居了。 帮助她交朋友的计划已经开始奏效了。 那天鸟巢周围洋溢着节日的气氛。 动物们来来往往，有说有笑。 在愉快的交谈之后，每个人

neighbor would choose their spot, leave their droppings, and be on their way. And always with a smile. "We're happy to help!" said two smiling weasels after finishing up their business. "It was our pleasure!" said a flock of smiling sparrows before they flew away. "I shouldn't be much longer, now," said a smiling turtle as he slowly made his contribution. As all this was going on, Roz walked around and thanked everyone. "I am not capable of defecating," she explained, "so your droppings are most appreciated!" Once the grounds were fertilized, it was time for the plants. Tawny brought Roz and Brightbill out to a lush meadow. The robot sank her fingers into the ground and felt the spongy layer of roots below the grass. Slowly, carefully, she rolled up wide strips of sod, exposing the dark, wormy soil. She carried the rolls back to the Nest and spread them out to make a patchy lawn. Then she transplanted clumps of wildflowers and clovers and berries and shrubs and herbs until the Nest was surrounded by a scraggly collection of plants.

邻居们会选择他们的位置，留下他们的粪便，然后离开。 总是面带微笑。“我们很乐意帮忙！”两只黄鼠狼在完成它们的任务后微笑着说。 “这是我们的荣幸！”一群麻雀笑着说，然后飞走了。 “现在，我不会再呆太久了，”一只乌龟微笑着说，他慢慢地做出了贡献。 当这一切发生的时候，罗兹四处走动，向每个人表示感谢。 “我不会排便，”她解释说，“所以非常感谢你的粪便！”一旦土地被施肥，就该种植植物了。 茶妮带着罗兹和布莱特比尔来到一片郁郁葱葱的草地上。 机器人把手指伸进地面，摸了摸草下面的海绵状根系。 她慢慢地、小心地把草皮卷起来，露出黑暗的、长满虫子的土壤。 她把面包卷拿回巢里，铺成一块块草坪。 接着，她把一丛丛野花、三叶草、浆果、灌木和草本植物移栽进去，直到巢周围长满了蓬乱的植物。

"It's not much to look at now," said Tawny, "but the grass will grow into these gaps, and the flowers and bushes should perk up in a few days. I'll return soon to make sure it's all taking root. Before long this will be a lovely, wild garden."

“现在没什么可看的，”茶色说，“不过这些缝隙里会长出草来，花和灌木过几天就会长出来了。 我很快就会回来确保一切都扎根了。 过不了多久，这里就会变成一个可爱的野生花园。”