story---tyhe orchid and the roses

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Wed, 25 May 2005 20:51:14 -0700 (PDT)sudesh johar

<lookfeelgood2004 >Fwd: story---tyhe orchid and the rosesTo:

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Mrs.Sudesh Johar

Sydney, Australia

Tel: 61 42 5222 635

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Wed, 25 May 2005 20:45:17 -0700 (PDT)sudesh johar

<lookfeelgood2004 >story---tyhe orchid and the rosesTo:

sudesh johar <lookfeelgood2004 >

STORY The Orchid and the Roses by Leslie Ann Hayashi

One day, in a beautiful rose garden, a small potted plant was set near a row of

tall rose bushes. Only a foot high, the new plant had just a few broad sturdy

leaves instead of the many smaller delicate leaves of the elegant roses. Its

thin white roots did not burrow into the ground but climbed all over the sides

of the grey cement pot. Unlike the rose bushes which were adorned with many

coloured blossoms, this plant had only two tiny buds near its centre.

The stately roses studied the new addition to the garden with great curiosity.

"Do you suppose it's real?" a yellow rose whispered."I'm not sure. It doesn't

dance with the wind," answered a pink rose, bending gracefully in the breeze.

Peering into the grey pot, a peach colored rose remarked, "I don't think it's a

plant at all. There's no soil in the pot, only rocks."

Hearing their comments, the mystery plant was deeply hurt and couldn't bring

herself to respond. Hearing no reply, the roses quickly lost interest in her.

One day, the plant's purple buds, which had grown almost as large as the plant

itself, opened. The roses stared in awe at the light purple flowers hanging

side by side like two large stars. In each of their dark purple centers was a

splash of yellow like the warm smile of the early morning sun.

"What beautiful flowers!" exclaimed the red rose. "Do they have a scent?"The

peach rose bent over and sniffed. "Yes, but it's faint, like yesterday's rain -

nothing like our fragrant perfume.""The flowers don't have as many petals as our

blossoms and they're not round!" The pink rose sounded confused.Leaning over,

the yellow rose asked, "Excuse me, what kind of plant are you?" There was no

answer."Perhaps it can't hear," murmured the peach rose."Perhaps it can't

speak," added the pink rose.

Finally the potted plant could not remain silent any longer."I am an orchid,"

she stated firmly."A what?" cried the roses."An orchid, O-R-C-H-I-D," the plant

repeated."An orchid? You're so different from us. You live in a pot and your

roots don't spread through the ground. Your leaves and blossoms are..."

"Excuse me, but I've heard all of your comments before. Orchids and roses are

different. That's why I seem strange to you even though I'm not all that

strange really."

The roses fell silent for a while and thought.

The red rose was the first to speak: "Oh, we're terribly sorry. We didn't mean

to hurt your feelings.We simply forgot our manners. Please, please, forgive

us," the pink rose added quickly."Let's enjoy the lovely sunshine and the

gentle breeze together," the yellow rose suggested eagerly."Yes, let's be

friends!" the roses chorused together.

The orchid looked at their eager faces. The roses had not meant to be mean; they

had simply been curious. Although roses and orchids look different, together

they make the garden a very beautiful place. Slowly the orchid smiled, knowing

they would be wonderful friends for a very long time.

Mrs.Sudesh Johar

Sydney, Australia

Tel: 61 42 5222 635

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