eCollaboration Team 

Like all tales of triumph there must be some kind of tragedy to triumph over, so we better get started. In the beginning Mr Bean was a gift to many. All had hopes and dreams of becoming the best versions of themselves under the guise of education. A  group of young (some not so young), bright, enthusiastic and very impressionable, plant loving conservation trainees were the recipients of these gifts (Madagascar beans). The seemingly kind, wise and inspirational givers of these gifts (YCG) imparted some simple instructions how to care and grow these gifts. It was suggested each trainee take a bean home and  take photos as the growth progressed. Enthusiasm to grow this survival food was high. The simple growing of  beans could be a pathway to feeding oneself and possibly feeding the world.   

The inspired trainees enthusiastically discussed they had a better way to grow the bean. Going  against the wise and inspirational advice the group decided to group their beans in a semi-controlled environment with the intention of a better group outcome. If only the trainees realised spreading forces would have been a wiser plan. 

A single bean plant was separated and raised in a secret secure location under guard and with premium growing conditions to mitigate any risk of loss. Unknowingly, Mr Bean from that moment was to become the chosen one.

The beans were soaked overnight then planted into separate growing tubes, placed in a tray, covered and placed in a warm sunny position. Little did the trainees know that they were being watched. A plot to destroy the plan was afoot. A greedy local brush turkey called Donald was making plans for these beans. Donald waited and watched patiently while many beans were planted and for the trainees to leave for the day.  

Meanwhile the solitary Mr Bean was whisked away to a secret secure location where the same propagation techniques were undertaken and secure controlled conditions implemented.

The next day upon return to check on the progress of the many beans Donald’s plans were revealed. There had been a hostile takeover with all the trainees work in ruins and completely destroyed. Not a trace of a bean to be seen.

The trainees were devastated. After a few quiet moments reflecting their losses and mistakes, the trainees remembered Mr Bean (the chosen one) in a separate location.  Not all hope was lost!

Mr Bean sprouted and grew. While still an infant Mr Bean travelled with the trainees to many worksites, walked many bush tracks, witnessed the removal, and learnt to identify many invasive weeds, watched and identified native trees being planted for conservation. After each day Mr Bean would hop on the windowsill of the trainees’ secure classroom to watch for Donald mocking him quietly from a safe distance while watching the sunrise. Mr Bean soon became too big to regularly transport safely. Mr Bean was then located in the small nursery attached to the trainee’s workplace with strict instructions for water and food and for all other employees to leave Mr Bean alone.

The trainees visited Mr Bean daily but as time passed it was noticed the mental and physical The health of Mr Bean was suffering. He was moved one last time. The secret location will be known by only one very privileged and dedicated trainee. Mr Bean will be set free and with assistance and devotion of the unnamed trainee and allowed to plot his own path to world domination. We imagine what might have been achieved if the trainees had known more about the plans and plots of a brush turkey who liked Madagascar beans. The moral of the tale – keep less eggs in one basket!