Peas in Our Time

First the plowing and, next, the sowing. Then come the flowers, bright and happy. People gather around in anticipation of peas.

This is not new at all. It has been so ever since man learned about digging in the dirt instead of simply chasing beasts that roam here and there atop it. The history of peas may have begun when the first of the peas was broken, shelled, as we have more recently come to describe it.

Destroy the peas

What to do with peas?

"Let us hide the peas," grunted FurMan. "FurWoman, take my splintered war club and dig a hole in the dirt out in front of the cave. Toss the peas into the hole and cover the hole with dirt again. Out of sight - out of mind - out of here with peas."

Into the dirt went peas.

Flowering of the peas

The gentle rains and the kind sunshine were patient. After a time they had their way. Peas jumped up out of the ground and hoisted pretty flowers to banner their entry into the warring world above. FurMan and FurWoman stopped cracking skulls and stared at the newcomers to their caveyard. All over Cavetown others stopped what they were doing to witness the coming of peas and to enjoy the colorful flowering.

Battles raged

FurMan began battling with a new war club again. All was back to normal in the world.

Then came the early rains, and the warm sun shone down. Underground, peas were happily at work. Above the ground, the battles raged. More war clubs were splintered. More ground was scratched and dug into. Peas remaining - again forgotten. The fighting went on and on.

After the flowering

Peas sprang up here and peas sprang up there, more and more. More rain. More sun. More flowers.

From each flower came green fruit and to each green fruit came rabbits, squirrels, and then FurMan and FurWoman. They had seen Earth's creatures eating the fruits of peas, and they wanted peas for themselves.

Invention

The first cave, that of FurMan and FurWoman, began to deal with living with peas. There was much to be learned. Once learned, the recipe was shared around.

The peas were locally known for a time as to goodness and benefits, but mankind has never been able to keep secrets for very long. Once the lesson was learned, sharing the know-how kept whirling along from cave to cave, region to region.

There is no patent on peas.

At last

Whirled peas had arrived. All that was left to be done was to teach the recipe to everyone.