[Gardens are depressing this time of year. For one, there's no flowers about to give to pretty girls-of-the-hour.]

[But the fact that one plant was healthy enough to be singing was enough to rouse his attentions long enough that he's sitting at a safe enough distance, flipping curiously through a book on plant life, prodding a tendril.]

Has it ever done this before, or do you know?

[If worst comes to worst, he does have a lighter in his pocket. Probably enough protection.]