tkt8763-01: Fwd: neat story (fwd)

[Marilyn Dossett Bowen <mdb7@ra.msstate.edu>]

>> HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!
>>  
>>  
>>  > 	    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 it's 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 in midair 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 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.
>>   
>>   By Cheryl L. Costello-Forshey
>>   from A 5th Portion of Chicken Soup for the Soul
>>   Copyright 1998 by Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen
>>   
>>  =================================================================
>
>

      :)  Marilyn Bowen

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