human
It is no use asking me this evening, said a portly Cauliflower.
gpt
My head is so heavy I cannot take my turn. Ask the Scarlet-runner.
human
Me! said the Scarlet-runner.
gpt
Don't ask me! I've been running all day, and have got to run all night, to get up to the top of these sticks. You may see by the colour of my flowers how hot and tired I am! Try the Parsley.
human
I'm sure _I_ have not a moment to tell a tale, said the Parsley.
gpt
I'm _so_ busy curling my leaves ready to make the dishes to-morrow, for I heard the gardener tell the cook I should have a place on the table, and I like to be pretty.
human
Vain creature! said the Cauliflower.
gpt
Black Currant! what say you to taking your turn now?
human
Better not ask me, drawled the Black Currant.
gpt
You see by my dress how dismal my story would be, and as for my sisters Red and White, the birds have been pecking at them all day, till there is nothing but their stalks left. It is no use to ask _them_.
human
I _would_ take my turn, said a large Pear hanging against the brick wall,
gpt
I am longing to speak, cried a Potato from under the ground,
human
You are all very tiresome to-night, said the Cauliflower.
gpt
I _would_ ask the Cabbage, because I know it has a good heart, but I heard the Fig-tree say the other day it wouldn't give a fig for its stories, they are so vulgar. Who is that coughing?
human
I, said the Artichoke.
gpt
I was thinking I might be the speaker to-night; but you see I could only get half through what I had to say before I was stopped by coughing, so it's no use _my_ trying.
human
French Bean! could not _you_ oblige us?
gpt
If so, I must speak in French,
human
Oh, that will never do! cried several voices at once;
gpt
Did I not see a head peeping from that tall red pot? said the Cauliflower.
human
Sea-kale! is that you? Come! it is really your turn to-night.
gpt
No, no! said the Sea-kale.
human
The gardener can force me to grow; but you can't force me to tell a story. My stories are only fit for the shells and fishes to listen to. None of you land creatures would understand them.
gpt
And I'm sure I'm _well_ known to one of the fishes, said the Fennel,
human
I see we must fall back upon the Mustard and Cress,
gpt
Us, indeed! cried hot angry voices from a box in a corner,
human
Yes! yes! the Apple-tree!
gpt
My friend, said the Apple-tree,
human
I'm quite ready to cry, said the Onion,