1.

Mr Douglas was talking with Mr Haney, who was visiting him.

"I don't understand it. My vegetables aren't growing like they should. And yet, we've had a good amount of rain, and there's been no insect infestation, that I can see!"

"I have just the answer for you."

"Some concoction in your truck?"

"No, a person."

"A person."

"That's right. Her name is Zaneba Colley, and she is a Field Whisperer."

"A Field Whisperer?"

"That's right. She has the power to heal fields that are sick."

He shook his head. "I can't believe that!"

"It's true. A lot of farmers around here swear by her. She charges just $15, and if you're not satisfied, there's a full money-back guarantee."

"Hmm. . . well, I guess there's no harm in trying her."

"That's the spirit! I'll contact her and have her meet you."

"Fine."

"Oh, I hasten to add, there's a $5 fee-my commission."

"That's highway robbery! I'll give you $1."

"It so happens that I'm having a sale this week—just $1."

He gave him the money.

2.

At 10:00AM, the next day, there was a knock on the Douglas' door. Lisa answered it.

A beautiful woman stood outside. She had long black hair. She wore a t-shirt and blue jeans, and was barefooted.

"Can I help you, darling," asked Lisa.

"Hi. I'm here to see Mr. Douglas."

"Just a second."

She walked to the living room, where he was sitting on the couch.

"Oliver, there's a barefoot girl who vants to see you."

"A barefoot girl?"

"That's right."

He got up and went to the door.

"He. I'm Zaneba Colley."

"Oh, the Field Whisperer."

"Yes, that's right. And I can already tell that your field has a sickness."

"Is that so?," he said, not too convinced.

"I know you don't believe me—but I think you will."

"Well. . . we'll see. I understand your fee is $15?"

"That's right."

"How about this: I pay you $10 now, and if I see results, I'll pay you another $10. That includes a $5 tip."

"Yes, that will be fine."

"I'll get the money."

He went to the bedroom.

"Do you often go barefooted, darling?," Lisa asked.

She smiled. "Yes, I do! Especially when I'm working. I can feel Earth vibrations with my feet."

"Really? How fascinating, darling!"

Oliver came back. He gave Zaneba the money, and she put it in her purse. Then she made out an invoice for him.

"Well, I'll get started, now.

Leaving her purse on the table, she went outside.

3.

She walked slowly between each row of the vegetables. Sometimes, she would stop and raise her arms up and down. Other times, she would draw something in the dirt with her toes.

And then, she sang a song. It was a modal folk song of British descent. She had a beautiful voice.

The Douglas's watched her with fascination.

There was a pond on the property. Seeing this, she waded into it!

"This is where the disease is originating," she said to them.

The water went up to her waist. She sat down and completely immersed herself in it—even her head!

"Miss Colley!," shouted Oliver.

"Darling!," shouted Lisa.

A few seconds later, she emerged again. She was soaked, and a little muddy. She waded out of the pond.

"Your field is now cleaned," she said.

They took her back to house, where they gave her lunch and—at Lisa's insistence—dry clothes.

4.

Zaneba Colley had results. Mr Douglas's crops began growing at a remarkable rate. He dutifully paid the rest of the money to her.

A few weeks later, Oliver went to town to take care of some business. When he come back he was treated to a strange sight:

Lisa was walking between the rows of her garden—barefooted! She sang a song which was a close approximation of Zaneba's song.

"Lisa, what are you doing?"

"I thought I vould try to become a Garden Visperer."

"And how is it working out?"

She looked down at her feet. "Very dirty!"

He smiled.