The Poppy

Text and drawings: Cornelia Noghiu

Woke up too early in the morning of a playful dew drop, the poppy shaken himself and gathers his petals. He feared not lose his brightness. He was in love with himself and thought the most beautiful flower in the field. Often he watched the sky with concern. When black clouds gathered to rain it was afraid that it might lose the red bright color like blood and none admire him. He hate the sun, it wilted his petals and made him look tired. Because of it, he has no friends. When butterflies tired of flight had sat down on his petals to rest their wings, he was angry and shaken until they flew away.

 The summer passed quickly. The autumn with cold rains and strong winds took hold of that land. Poor him he knew nothing about this season. He has magical power. Change the whole nature. The trees’ leaves turn yellow and fall on the ground. The grass and the flowers dry and lose their beauty. It was cold and he felt very unhappy. He wanted to hide behind anything but the grass and the flowers around him where lying on the ground unkindly.

Nothing could help him. He kept saying: I am strong, I will succeed. But he didn`t.

The petals have been scattered and he uprooted and carried away through the air.

 In his long journey he saw a lot of new things: high mountains with peaks covered in snow, hills and plains-green as no longer met, forests with trees that-high to heaven to enjoy the light and heat of the sun, fields with golden ears of wheat and multicolored fields.

Tired of wander, the wind suddenly stopped and dropped poppy in a brightly colored rose garden. He dared to look at them. But they were very curious to find out where it comes from and they put a lot of questions. Finally, he decided to speak. After he told them what was happend, he added: I was so selfishe and because of this I have not enjoyed anything but my own beauty. Now she is no more, and I have not other memories of the country where I come from. Nobody will care about me, because we live just in our friends hearts and memories forever . And I do not even have one.

Saddened by what they heard, the roses told him: We will think fondly of you. Thank you very much, said poppy. Then turn on the road again much wiser and more prepared for what was to come.

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The Romanian text: read here >>>>>.