there was once a young rose
by the side of the road
displayed for all to see
the only rose
in a patch of wildflowers
how it got there was a mystery

among the wildflowers
it grew from a seed
caressed by the wind, unbridled and free
and yet it doubted itself
that it could be anything more
than a wildflower could ever be

"i'm nothing special,"
it told itself
"what more is there to me?
i'm just a wildflower
like everyone else
wouldn't you all agree?"

the wildflowers shook their heads
in disbelief and said
"you're more beautiful than any of us!"
and yet the rose
replied with a sigh
"i don't see what's all the fuss."

"i have petals the colour of blood
and large sharp thorns on my body
always ready to hurt and not to love,"
the wildflowers once again
shook their heads and said
"you're not giving yourself the credit you deserve."

"you may be like us
with petals and leaves
but yet you're one of a kind
others walk past
and look at us
and yet you're the only one they'll find."

the rose looked at
the wildflowers who spoke
green, yellow and white they were
each unique and beautiful
in their own way
and yet they were encouraging her.

it so happened
that a human child walked past
and cried out gleefully
"there's a rose here
come and look!
it's beautiful, mommy!"

the mother came along
took one look at the rose
and a faint smile appeared on her face
"do not touch it, child
as you can see
the rose is in its rightful place"

"those wildflowers
all green yellow and white
beautiful as they may be
the rose to them
is like you, my child
a miracle borne of life's beauty."

"the rose is still young
it has much to learn
and yet it brings much joy to the world
as each day passes
more beauty is unveiled
as its petals are slowly unfurled."




"come, my child."