SAY IT WITH FLOWERS

by Nelly

Vincent was worried about Narcissa because he had not seen her for a long time and decided to go and look for her. He found her in her room, asleep.

Relieved, Vincent smiled at his friend and turned back to exit. That moment, he heard Narcissa calling him, “Vincent, why you come and see me, child?”

“We were worried about you as we had not seen you for a long time. I came to see if you were all right,” said Vincent.

“Thank you, dear. I’m touched by your attention, but you know that these tunnels, caves, and chambers of this world have no secrets for me. I’m all right. If you have time to spend with your old friend, I’ll tell you what happened to me. You will be surely impressed,” said Narcissa.

“I always have time for you and you know it. You are not old; you are a special soul, and you deserve all my attention and respect,” said Vincent.

“Take a seat and listen, child,” said Narcissa.

“Some days ago, I was exploring our world, seeking new and mysterious places, and suddenly my sixth sense guided me towards a small recess inside a wall of an unknown tunnel. You know that I’m afraid of nothing, and my curiosity took me into the recess. There was a carving of a girl holding a flower. I did not understand which kind of flower it was because its shape continuously changed following my gaze. I approached the carving, and after a few seconds I saw the girl’s gaze coming alive and revealing two wonderful but sad green eyes. I instinctively started talking with her asking, “Hi, dear, who are you? Why so sad?”

Vincent was fascinated and incredulous but listened to Narcissa with more and more curiosity.

Narcissa continued, “The girl’s face and body came to life, too. However, the flower remained unchanged, but its variability continued. The girl started talking, saying…”

“My name is Flo. I’m 10 years old. I lived in the world above. I lost my parents when I was little, and I lived in an orphanage. It was a horrible place and children were afraid of everything.

“One afternoon I discovered a flower in the garden. The flower had a particular shape and attracted me. It seemed it was calling me. I went to see it every day, talking to it about my fears and hopes. It seemed it was listening to me, and it followed all my movements. It was special for another reason, too – it never faded!

“One day, one of the governesses, particularly harsh, discovered my special “friendship” and punished me, saying that I should have stayed in my room because I was mad, and I could have harmed the other children. I was desperate! Therefore, before they brought me away, I tore the flower off the grass and hid it in my t-shirt.

“At that point a magical strength seized my body, and I started running at breakneck speed, succeeding in exiting from the orphanage’s gate. I did not realize where I was going. It was like I was pushed by an invisible hand. I found an open manhole and I entered it. I was so scared that I did not realize I could have hurt myself, but something was telling me it was the right way!

“Actually, it was. I found myself in a new world made of tunnels, caves, and secret places. I took the flower from the t-shirt and begged its pardon for having torn it off the grass, but I did not want to lose it. I took refuge in this recess, finally free.

“Suddenly, my body started to tremble and stiffen. I was frightened, but I heard a voice coming from the flower saying “Don’t be afraid. We will stay safe, together, forever… Only when a good soul will find this recess and will look at you with compassion and kindness, will we come to life and we will make them know the power of flowers.”

Vincent was moved and clapped his hands as a sign of respect for little Flo. “Narcissa, please, take me to meet Flo,” he said.

“OK, dear. Come with me.”

They arrived at the recess and Vincent bent down to look at Flo’s eyes. After some seconds, Flo opened her green eyes, sharing Vincent’s gaze without fear.

“Hi, Flo, my name is Vincent. I’m Narcissa’s friend,” said Vincent.

“Hi, Vincent. If you are Narcissa’s friend, you are also a friend of mine. You have a gentle soul and I’ve opened my eyes to share your kindness.”

“Your flower is beautiful, really special,” said Vincent.

“Yes, it’s magic. Now that I have two new friends, I can reveal its power. The flower can change in various species according to the soul of the person looking at it. Of course, the person’s soul must be good, otherwise the flower does not react. Do you know some special people, Vincent?” asked Flo.

“Of course, little girl.” Vincent told Flo the story about the World Below and she was really fascinated.

“I knew I was in the right place,” said the girl.

“Sure, now you are part of us, and we will protect you forever,” said Vincent.

“I can stay alive forever, without hiding in the recess. Thank you, Vincent and Narcissa! I would like to meet my new friends. Bring them to me. I have a surprise for all,” said Flo.

The next day the representatives of the World Below went to the recess.

They were surprised and touched to see Flo coming to life.

“Nice to meet you all. Come here and look at the flower. It will have the shape of the species closest to your soul. Don’t be afraid…” said Flo.

One by one, everyone approached the flower, looking at it with respect. And here are the results:

• Father – rebirth – the flower became a lotus flower;
• Mary – maternal love – the flower became an azalea;
• Vincent – the flower became a rose made of the seven rainbow colors: Yellow: light, Orange: energy, Red: love, Green: nature, Light blue: his gentle eyes, Blue: darkness, Purple: spirit;
• Catherine – resilience and elegance – the flower became a lily;
• Pascal – fidelity and respect – the flower became a magnolia blossom;
• Mouse – talent – the flower became a blue lotus;
• William – creativity – the flower became a hyacinth;
• Michael – new beginnings – the flower became a primrose;
• Brooke – secret love – the flower became an acacia blossom;
• Narcissa – purity and spirituality – the flower became a white rose;
• Samantha – self-esteem – the flower became a narcissus;
• Kipper – light and life – the flower became a sunflower;
• Geoffrey – sweetness and sensitivity – the flower became a cornflower.

Each flower was created by the magic one and given to the respective owners.

Flo was accompanied to the World Below, a world she felt to be a part of and her faithful flower friend helped her to find.

Forever…