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A Tale of Two Flowers - a Short Story for Kids

Updated on December 27, 2014
LuisEGonzalez profile image

Bachelor's degree in English. Middle school language arts teacher with over 20 years experience with a specialty in reading.

Public domain image (CC0)
Public domain image (CC0) | Source

On a large patch of ground in the middle of a grassy meadow there were two plants which each producing a single flower.

One of the flowers was really a sight to behold; majestic in its size, grandiose in its large display of bright colors and a marvelous aroma that attracted insects from near and far. Her name was Annual.

Next to this magnificent specimen there was a much smaller flower, not so majestic, with rather dull colors and a strange aroma, yet it also attracted insects from near and far, although her sap was toxic to most. The smaller of the two was always quiet and rather humble. Her name was Perennial.

The larger one was always showing off her magnificence to everyone who would listen. She often looked at the little one with disdain and most of the time did not even look at her at all.

For you see, she was taken with jealousy as the butterflies who would feed on her nectar were not always the prettiest ones, while those that fed on her dull little neighbor were often magnificent looking ones, full of rich vibrant colors like reds and deep oranges.

One fine day, as some days go, the larger of the two flowers decided that although much smaller and not as attractive as her, the little flower still managed to attract insects and this really bothered her for she thought that she should get all the attention and no one else was deserving of it but her.

She looked at the little flower who was silently minding her own business and in an angry voice demanded that she should just wither and die so that she would get the attention of all the insects of the grassy meadow.

The little humble flower was surprised by her larger neighbor’s comments, but replied nevertheless “ I am small, not so pretty as you ,nor do I have an aroma as sweet as your, but insects still visit me and enjoy what I have to offer. Why do you care if I get some visitors anyway, you still manage to get the most?”

"I deserve them all", the larger flower said. "For being the most beautiful I deserve everything, yet you being so small and dull, might make some insects think that we are friends and we are not." She continued with her tirade "Why do you get butterflies that are so beautiful yet those that seek me out are often as dull looking as you?" "I want them too and as long as you are here, they won't visit me."

"You would do everyone a favor by just disappearing. Besides, you are toxic to most other creatures and how could somebody so toxic be worthy of sharing the same space with me."

The small flower became sad for she could not understand where this hate came from and why it was directed at her. She gathered enough courage one day to face her much larger neighbor and said “I am here because nature in its wisdom chose to put me where I am today. If I just disappear as you want me to, then my species may just disappear too, and those who seek my nectar may suffer the same fate". “Good riddance to you all", said the large one.

“I am small and dull as you say, but I am proud of what I am. I am strong, and have withstood all that Mother Nature has thrown at me; you have just sprouted not too long ago, If I am toxic, it is for a reason, many of the insects that feed on my nectar do so because my toxic sap offers them protection. Can you say the same?" Said the little dull flower.

To which the magnificent flower said “That might be true, but nature would not make something as beautiful as me if I was not destined to be here forever. " You are a freak of nature."

“Nothing lasts forever, you should remember that and be content with who you are. Make the most of the time you have been given and the purpose for which you were created. Don't covet that which is another's. Just be proud of who you are." Responded the dull companion. “I will” replied Ms. Magnificent and looked away not bothering to acknowledge that she had hurt the feelings of the smaller one.

Seeing that her prettier neighbor did not even acknowledge what she had just finished saying, the little one yelled "Don't you know what your name even means?" To which her neighbor in a loud and mocking way yelled back " I don't care, but it must be mean something as beautiful as I am."

Time went by until one fine day, as fine days go, although suddenly cold with fresh snow on the ground, the dull small flower looked over to where the large, magnificent, aromatic and colorful neighbor had been and saw that she was no more.

For you see Nature in its wisdom makes some flowers grow quickly, are very colorful and full of aroma so that they can attract insects that pollinate them,while the weather is nice.

These insects feed and move on just as fast as they came for these flowers are not able to withstand the cold weather and need to do everything fast. Their life span is only one year and they are called annuals.

Yet smaller, less colorful little flowers are often able to stand up to the cold since because of their small size do not need as much to survive as other much larger ones and live for more than a year. These are called perennials.

Some of these often have toxic fluids that a few insects, especially butterflies, seek in order to gain protection from those who would make them a meal. These insects are often very colorful and beautiful to look upon, their colors are the ways that nature chose to warn predators.

The dull little flower felt kind of sad about her former neighbor but soon forgot as a group of insects were about to pay her a visit when she suddenly remembered the words she had said before; “Nothing last forever, you should remember that and be content with who you are. Make the most of the time you have been given and the purpose for which you were created. Don't covet that which is another's. Just be proud of who you are."

And she thought, "what a beautiful name I have."

© 2013 Luis E Gonzalez

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