Chapter 10
As Alice entered the garden, she saw a tall rose tree which was standing near the entrance to the garden. The tree was in full blossom. It was full of white roses. Around the tree, there were three gardeners to protect it from intruders. The three gardeners were busy in their work. They had paint brushes in their hands and were painting the red colour on the white roses.
Seeing their work Alice was astonished. It was a really beautiful sight. She got excited to know more about the roses. Her curiosity grew with every passing minute. She decided to go as close to the roses as possible.
One of the roses was heard saying, “Stop short, O Five! Why are you painting me like that? What is the use of doing this? Why are you ruining my natural colour, which is God-gifted? It does not behove you.”
Hearing the words of the white rose Alice was taken aback. ‘How could a flower talk like this? It is really wonderful. I have never seen any flower talk in this fashion. Such are the marvels of Nature,’ said Alice to herself. Five got irritated hearing of the words of the white rose. He said in an angry voice, “O Mr. keep your mouth shut. I am helpless. I can’t help painting you. It is seven who is red all over.”
Hearing the words of Five Seven got sulky and ill-tempered. Looking up he stated, “Don’t blame me, you liar. When did I say to you to paint the white rose red? Be truthful. You don’t have any manners. You always pass the buck. But I won’t let you do so.”
Thus a heated argument ensued between the two. Five said in a roaring voice, “O Seven! Mind your tongue. You are a cheat. It is you who have told a lie. You had better keep your mouth shut, otherwise I shall hit you in the face. I know what kind of person you are. I have come to know that the queen got angry with you yesterday. You have been sentenced to death for your impudence, haven’t you? I know how much plain and straightforward you are. Mend your ways. First, practise and then preach.”
Five’s anger knew no bounds. He said in an offensive tone, “What nonsense you are talking! It is all rubbish. I have never been ordered to be beheaded. If it is so, can you tell me what wrong I have done? For what offence am I to be beheaded?”
Even two, another white rose, rose in rebellion. He came in support of Five and said to Seven, “Dear! You are talking a lot. Keep quiet and be on your way. Don’t compel us to beat you black and blue.”
Hearing the words of two Seven turned red in the face. He felt extremely agitated. He rumbled at the top of his voice, “O two! It is none of your business. Don’t try to poke your nose into others’ affairs. You had better mind your business.”
Five interrupted saying, “Who are you to order him like that. It is his business. Do what you can do. Don’t ever try to touch him. You don’t have guts to say anything to him. Hold your tongue or you will be in a deplorable position.”
Hearing the words of Five, Seven flew into a rage. He threw his brush at one side and moved away from there. He caught sight of Alice who stood there watching all of them with keen observation. Seeing Alice there all other gardeners stopped talking. All of them bowed low in awe and reverance. Alice felt frightened when she realized that all of them were staring at her keenly. With a frightened look she came close and asked the gardeners why they were busy painting the white roses red. Five and Seven kept mum. Not a single word escaped their lips.
Two came forward and observed, “As per the order of the Queen, there, where Five and Seven are standing should have been the red rose tree. But alas! There is a white rose tree in its place. If the Queen happens to visit the garden, she will come to know about it and have our heads cut off. She won’t spare any of us. Now the mistake has been committed. We are trying to rectify it painting all the white roses red. Thus we can save ourselves from the wrath of the Queen.”
Hardly had two finished his sentence when he should loudly, “Hey! The Queen has arrived. We shall all be in trouble.”
The three gardeners began to tremble with fright. They were sweating profusely. They had no hope of their survival. They turned their backs and lay on the ground with their faces hidden in the sand.
Now Alice was very excited to see the Queen. She moved away and heard a large number of footsteps. The Queen at the head of several soldiers was entering the garden. Alice hid herself behind a tree and saw all the proceedings. First of all, ten soldiers carrying clubs shaped like the three gardeners appeared. They were oblong and flat with their hands and feet as the corners.
After a while, it was the turn of courtiers who were ten in number. Their hats were adorned with diamonds. They were walking hand in hand like soldiers do during March Past. They were followed by the royal children who were ten. They were bubbly, energetic and full of enthusiasm. They were running here, there and everywhere. They were decorated with hearts. Last but not least a large contingent of dignitaries namely Kings, Queen, Dukes, Duchesses and Nobles arrived there with great pomp and show.
Among the august procession there was the little White Rabbit as well. He looked nervous and was talking in a haphazard manner. Now it was the turn of the Knave of Hearts who was carrying the king’s crown on a crimson velvet cushion. It was a grand procession.
At last, the King and the Queen of Hearts, dressed in their best finery arrived with the blowing of trumpets. The maids who were coming along with the king and the Queen were showering rose petals upon them. Soon an environment of fun and frolic prevailed upon the entire garden. Alice hiding behind a tree thought whether she should lie on the ground with her face down like the three gardeners or not.
She said to herself, ‘If I lie on the ground with my face down, I won’t be able to look at the King and the Queen of hearts. Moreover, I would miss the grandeur of royal procession. I can’t miss it.’
Thinking so Alice stood there to watch the proceedings.
As luck would have it, the royal procession stopped just opposite Alice who got frightened a lot. The Queen of hearts chanced to see Alice. So, she asked the Knave of Hearts, “Who is that child standing behind the tree? Do you know what her name is?”
But the Knave of Hearts didn’t know anything about Alice. He bowed low in front of the Queen and smiled a bit. Seeing the reaction of the Knave the Queen got impatient and said, “You fool! Is this the way to reply to my question?”
Turning to Alice the Queen herself said, “O dear child! How do you happen to be here? May I know what your good name is?”
Alice replied most respectfully, “Your Highness! My name is Alice and I have come over here by chance.”
All of a sudden, the Queen’s eyes fell upon the three gardeners who were lying on the ground with their faces down, buried deep. Before the Queen could ask anything, Alice realized that the King, the Queen and all their entourage were mere a pack of cards. She said to herself, ‘I need not be afraid of them. They can’t do any harm to me.’
In the meantime, the Queen recognized the pattern on the backs of the three gardeners. The pattern was the same as the rest of the pack. But it was altogether difficult for the Queen to ascertain whether the three gardeners were her courtiers, soldiers or her three children.
The Queen again said to Alice, “Dear child! Can you tell me who they all? What are their names?” But Alice was unaware of it. She kept mum. She thought, ‘How can I know who they are. Anyhow, it is not my business. I have nothing to do with it.’
The Queen was filled with anger. She was red in the face. She yelled at the top of her voice, “Is there anybody to catch hold of this naughty girl. Sever her head from the rest of her body. Take her off from here. I don’t want to see her face.”
Hearing the words of the Queen Alice too went mad in rage. She roared loudly, “How dare you talk to me like that? You are a foolish lady who does not know what is what.”
Hearing the words of Alice the Queen got silent at once. She kept mum and said nothing. Seeing her the King came over there and patted her back.
He observed, “Dear! Be cool. She is only a little child. Don’t pay attention to her impudence. Children are always lovable. They are the gifts of God. Don’t have any ill will towards the little girl.”
But the Queen could not be pacified by the King. She shrugged off her shoulders and ordered her courtier, “Come here and turn these men lying on the ground over. I want to see their faces.”
The courtier at once carried out the order of her Queen. With one foot he turned the three men over. As soon as they saw the Queen, they lay prostrate at her feet and begged her pardon.
The Queen asked them, “For what should I pardon you? What were you doing here?”
Hearing the words of the Queen who looked fierce the three gardeners began to tremble. Somehow, they gathered courage and observed, “Your Majesty, we were trying to paint the white roses red.”
No sooner did the Queen hear these words, she flew into a rage. She blurted out, “How dare you defy my order? Off with their heads!”
The executioners with the long swords in their hands rushed towards the three gardeners. Now their death was sure. Seeing the hangmen the three gardeners began to shake terribly from head to toe. They had no alternative but to run to Alice for their safety. When they reached Alice, who was kind and co-operative, she said, “None can behead you.”
Saying these words she picked them up and put them inside a flower pot near by. When the executioners came there searching for them, they found none. They returned to the Queen, sad and disappointed.
The Queen asked the hangmen, “Have you done away with the three men?”
The hangmen replied in the affirmative. The Queen got very happy. She rewarded each of the executioners. Afterwards, the Queen turned to Alice and asked her, “Do you know how to play croquet? It is a very interesting game. If you so wish, let us play it.”
Alice said very softly, “Yes, Your Majesty, I can play croquet.”
After some time the procession moved on. Alice accompanied the procession. On the way, she heard a feeble voice. She looked below at her feet. There was the little White Rabbit whom she had been searching for a very long time. Seeing the Rabbit, Alice said to him, “Dear! What are you doing here? Well, where is the Duchess?”
Hearing the words of Alice the little White Rabbit whispered in her ear, “Dear, she is soon going to be executed. She has shown impudence against the Queen.”
Alice asked, “What impudence are you talking about? She is a very noble lady.”
The little White Rabbit replied, “Don’t you know she has made a grave crime. Yesterday, she boxed the Queen’s ear. The Queen ordered for her execution. The Duchess can be put to death at any time.”
Hearing the words of the Rabbit Alice burst out in a peal of laughter. Seeing Alice the Rabbit jumped upon her and perched on her right shoulder. Then he placed his finger on her lips. Afterwards he observed, “Please dear! Don’t laugh in such a fashion. If the Queen hears you, she will be very much angry.”
The procession came to a halt under a shady tree. The Queen ordered each and everybody to take his/her position. People started running in all directions, tumbling over one another. In a minute or so, everyone occupied his position to play the game of croquet.
