Christopher Corn and Chard Benning

“Christopher!” exclaimed Mrs. Tomato, right after Christopher Corn’s surprise birthday party. “There is someone at the garden gates.”

“Oh my!” exclaimed Christopher. “It is Chester Bennington. I wonder why he is here.”

Christopher walked over to Chester and gave him a big hug.

“It is so nice to see you,” said Chester.

“Yes, it is nice to see you as well, “said Christopher. “I have missed you but why are you here? You had so much to give to the world outside of the garden.”

“Well,” said Chester. “I really missed you and I want to sing with you again.”

“I would love that,” said Christopher, picking up his new guitar that he got for his birthday.

The rest of the Loud Garden band ran up to the stage and joined Christopher and Chester.

“That was so cool,” said Christopher, after they sang a few songs together.

“It is nice to meet you,” said Farmer Fred, coming into the barn and seeing Chester there. “Welcome to my garden. From now on, you will be part of the Fresh Veggie Family and your new garden name will be Chard Benning.

“It is very nice to meet you,” said Chard, shaking Farmer Fred’s hand.

“Just so you know,” said Farmer Fred. “You will have your own band here in the garden. It is called Winking Park.”

“Oh my!” exclaimed Chard. “That is wonderful. I can’t wait to get started with them.”

“That is sweet,” said Christopher. “You should join us onstage sometime at one of our concerts.”

“We would love that,” said Chard. “When is your next concert?”

“We have a concert coming up on Labour Day,” said Christopher. “We are the only band playing at that one though.”

“I see,” said Chard, sounding very depressed.

“I will let you know when another one comes up,” said Christopher.

“Sure,” said Chard. “That sounds good.”

Chard walked away with his head hung low. Christopher was very concerned about his friend. However, he was exhausted and needed some sleep.

Christopher went and laid down. He tossed and turned and couldn’t fall asleep right away. He couldn’t get Chard out of his mind.

When he did finally fall asleep, he had a dream, a dream that occurred outside of the garden on the day he passed away on Earth. He dreamt that Chard sang at his funeral. After singing, Chard broke down and was crying his eyes out.

“Christopher,” Chard called out in his dream. “Why did you leave? All I wanted to do was to sing with you. I don’t know if I can live without you.”

Those words made Christopher wake up immediately. He ran outside to the garden and found Chard sitting under a tree all by himself.

“Christopher,” said Chard, surprised and happy to see his friend. “I thought you were exhausted.”

“I couldn’t sleep,” said Christopher. “I need to talk to you. I had a very disturbing dream.”

“We can talk right here,” said Chard, clearing a spot for Christopher to sit down.

“I want you to be honest with me,” said Christopher. “Are you depressed?”

“I am,” said Chard, looking down at the ground. “Even more so, since you joined the garden.”

“Have you had suicidal thoughts?” asked Christopher.

“I would rather not talk about it,” said Chard.

“Okay,” said Christopher. “Maybe it would help if I was honest with you about my thoughts and feelings. I have had suicidal thoughts and I have had severe depression issues.”

“You have,” said Chard, shocked. “I never would have guessed. You have so much talent and so much to give the world. Look at all the charity work you did. Look at your new video you did just before coming to the garden about helping refugees.”

“I do realize that now,” said Christopher. “And, you also have so much talent and so much to give the world too. Look at all the charity work you did to help the world better protect themselves against natural disasters.”

“You know,” said Chard, honestly. “I have had some severe depression and I have had deep thoughts of suicide. However, our little talk has made me realize that I do have a lot to live for so I will continue my life and charity work here in the garden.”

“I do as well,” said Christopher. “I will also continue my life and charity work here in the garden. Also, I want you and your band Winking Park join us onstage at our Labour Day Concert.”

“We would love to,” said Chard, happily. “Thank you, Christopher. I do feel so much better.”

“I do too,” said Christopher.” Much, much better.”


 

Moral of this Story:

  • If you see your friend or family member showing signs they are depressed, please try to talk to them or get them to seek help.
  • Example: Christopher Corn saw his friend, Chard Benning, walk away depressed.
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