The Boy and The Flower

Once by a river, in a forest was a lonely flower. The flower was the most beautiful thing by the river, always growing and never dying. One day a boy came by looking for flowers along the river. As he carried a pot he found many flowers. Some were too small, or very dull to look at. Some flowers were dying or poisonous. “I cannot pick these.” said the boy. As he walked along the river he came to the most beautiful flower he had ever seen. As he approached the flower hid herself, “Please don't pick me.” The boy was surprised that she could talk, “I've never met a talking flower before!” He reached down to take the flower but again she pleaded, “Please don't pick me, I cannot grow if you pick me.” The boy became sad, “But I need you! I have a pot, you can survive in the pot.” The flower opened, “I will not survive long in a pot. Besides why am I so important to you?” The boy hesitated and finally said, “I need you for my mother.” The flower became conceit

ed, “Then bring her to me! I cannot leave my riverbank.” The eyes of the boy began to well up, “My mother cannot walk or get out of bed. She is sick.” he sat near the flower and began to cry. The flower became sad and had compassion, “Boy....” said the flower, “Boy, you may take me to your mother. But I need water from the river to survive the journey.” The boy wiped his eyes as he sprang to his feet. He gathered the soil and flower and packed it into the pot. He got water from the river and headed quickly home. The flower bounced in the pot as the boy walked briskly home. When he reached his home the flower looked up. It was a beautiful home with a greenhouse in the back. He opened the door and ran down the hall into a room. The boys father looked up, smiled, and moved away from the bed. There there lay a women, with a pale and sickly complexion. “Mother?” The woman opened her eyes and smiled at the boy holding the flower. “She is the most beautiful flower I have ever seen..” with a smile upon her face she forced herself to continue, “Thank for sharing this with me, but I am tired and must sleep.” The boy smiled and tears rolled down his face. The flower, confused, looked at the boy, “She only had time to glance at me, and now she is gone.” Dew fell from the flower as like a tear from her face, “Boy why did you pick me for such a short time?” Still smiling, the boy explained, “Mother wanted to see the most beautiful flower before she died. Your beauty shown over all the others and now I can help you shine for more than just mother.” He then took her to the greenhouse and began to plant her in the soil there. For many years he helped her stay trimmed and would replant seeds she'd lost. Soon he would send her all over the world for others to see. If you have a gift given by God, share the gift you have and he will bless you for it. #flower #love #sacrifice