The Weeds and Walls

A new kid finds old messages in a forgotten garden. Can he reseed community where only weeds now grow?

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg October 2, 2025

The Art Borups Corners collective is pleased to announce the release of "The Weeds and Walls," a new short story for youth and young adults by author Jamie Bell. This engaging narrative centers on the vital theme of dignity in community, offering readers a thoughtful look at how connections can be rekindled, even in unexpected places. The story brings a fresh perspective to what it means to belong and to care for one another. "The Weeds and Walls" introduces Tony, a new kid in town who discovers forgotten messages in an overgrown garden. These messages become keys to helping his neighbors remember the importance of working together. This project is a prime example of the collective's commitment to arts-focused skill development, encouraging young writers and readers to engage deeply with storytelling. It also highlights the growing importance of digital literacy in sharing these powerful narratives with a wider audience. This story is a significant output from the broader Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba storytelling program, an initiative dedicated to nurturing new voices and strengthening community ties through narrative. The program prioritizes diverse perspectives, including those rooted in Indigenous storytelling traditions, ensuring a rich and varied landscape of local narratives. Jamie Bell's work aligns perfectly with this mission, reminding us that every community has stories waiting to be heard and valued. By focusing on themes like connection and belonging, "The Weeds and Walls" offers more than just an entertaining read; it provides a gentle call to action for young people to look closer at their own neighborhoods and the people within them. We encourage readers of all ages to discover this moving story and support the ongoing efforts of the Art Borups Corners collective to foster a vibrant storytelling culture across the region.

Starting over in a new town is never easy, especially for ten-year-old Tony, who feels small and adrift in a sea of unfamiliar faces. On his perfectly tidy new street, neighbors keep to themselves, their faces quiet and closed off. But at the very end, a neglected garden—wild with weeds and whispers of the past—beckons Tony with its tangle of mystery.

It’s here, amidst crumbling stone and overgrown vines, that he uncovers cryptic messages. Single words like “Remember” and “Bloom,” tucked away like forgotten treasures, hint at a secret history and a deeper reason for the street’s quiet isolation. Tony soon realizes these aren’t just old notes; they’re clues to a puzzle that seems to explain the invisible walls between his neighbors.

Armed with curiosity and a growing sense of purpose, Tony embarks on a quest to decipher the garden’s secrets. Can one new kid help an entire community rediscover the profound dignity found in connection, reminding everyone that even the smallest hands can cultivate a vibrant neighborhood, one forgotten message at a time?

Support our Program! Order Your Books and Short Stories Today

You can find this story, along with our other books, short stories and publications available in bookstores across North America and globally, including: Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Chapters Indigo, Decitre, Fable, Librarie E. Leclerc, Palace Marketplace, Rakuten Kobo, Smashwords, Vivlio

Each order goes towards supporting our storytelling club and digital literacy programming.

About the Author

Jamie Bell is an interdisciplinary artist, writer, and a passionate believer in the power of shared stories. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, his work explores community and connection through creative projects and participatory research. When he’s not behind a pen or a camera, you can find him in the garden, a space where he finds inspiration in the quiet dignity of growth.

ISBN: 9798232596996

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg

Administrator

The Arts Incubator - Winnipeg is a participatory arts collective and living lab, based in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario. It's a space where innovation and creativity thrive. It's latest iteration was launched in 2021 with funding and support from the Canada Council for the Arts Digital Greenhouse. Today, working with students and faculty from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design, we fuse traditional and participatory media arts with artificial intelligence, music, storytelling and community-driven, land-based artist residencies to cultivate new voices and bold ideas. Whether through collaborative projects or immersive experiences, our small but vibrant community supports creators to explore, experiment, and connect. Join us at the intersection of artistry, technology, culture and community—where every moment is a new opportunity to create.

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