The Most Beautiful Flower

The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read Beneath the
long, straggly branches of an old willow tree. Disillusioned by
life with good reason to frown, For the world was intent on
dragging me down. And if that weren't enough to ruin my day, A
young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play. He
stood right before me with his head tilted down And said with
great excitement, "Look what I found!" In his hand was a flower,
and what a pitiful sight, With its petals all worn, not enough
rain or too little light. Wanting him to take his dead flower and
go off to play, I faked a small smile and then shifted away. But
instead of retreating he sat next to my side And placed the
flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,

"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too. That's why I
picked it; here, it's for you." The weed before me was dying or
dead. Not vibrant of colors, orange, yellow or red. But I knew I
must take it, or he might never leave. So I reached for the
flower, and replied, "Just what I need." But instead of him
placing the flower in my hand, He held it mid-air without reason
or plan. It was then that I noticed for the very first time That
weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind. I heard my voice
quiver, tears shone like the sun As I thanked him for picking the
very best one. You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to
play, Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day. I sat there and
wondered how he managed to see A self-pitying woman beneath an
old willow tree. How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.
Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see The
problem was not with the world; the problem was me. And for all
of those times I myself had been blind, I vowed to see the beauty
in life, and appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose And breathed in
the fragrance of a beautiful rose And smiled as I watched that
young boy, another weed in his hand

About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.


-- Author Unknown