The first day of Spring in 2021 was Saturday, March 20. The new season technically started at 5:37 AM on that day, when the sun shined directly on the earth’s equator…bringing almost equal minutes of daylight and darkness all around the globe. Unsurprisingly, the Spring season gets its name from the verb "spring." It's a hint to the flowers and plants to spring up, spring open, and then burst into blossom.
The story below is adapted from one written by Hans Christian Andersen, who was born in 1805 in Odense, located near Copenhagen, Denmark. His family was poor and he was a poor student. He never learned to spell or how to write in Danish—his writing style was always close to the vernacular (spoken language) and was down to earth and easily understandable. In 1828 (after seven years of school) he finally passed his university exams. To celebrate he wrote his first narrative, which became a success and was followed by a collection of poems. His career as an author had begun. He began writing fairy-tales by retelling folk tales he had heard as a child from his grandmother and others. However, he also created his own stories and most of his tales are original, combining folk art and literature, describing both the tragic and the comical elements of life. Children and adults both enjoy his tales to this day.
THE PROUD LITTLE APPLE BLOSSOM
By Hans Christian Andersen (adapted)
It was the month of May, but the wind still blew cool, for the sun was not yet ready to shed its warmest rays on the waiting earth.
Yet, some of the birds had come, and more were on their way, and many beautiful blossoms were already showing their pink and white blooms, so that from bush and tree, field and flower, came the glad cry, “Spring is here! Spring is here!”
Now, it happened that a young princess rode by a beautiful orchard in full bloom, and she stopped to pick a flower from a branch of apple blossoms to take to her palace. All who saw the apple blossom flower praised its beauty and fragrance—until the blossom became proud, and thought that beauty was the only valuable thing in the world.
But, as the apple blossom plant looked out upon the field, she thought, “Not all of the plants are rich and beautiful as I am, some seem poor and plain.” And, she noticed a little common yellow flower, which seemed to lift up its sunny head and grow everywhere.
The apple blossom said to the plain little flower, “What is your name?”
“I am called the dandelion,” replied the little flower.
“Poor little plant,” said the apple blossom. “It is not your fault; but how sad you must feel to be so plain and to bear such an ugly name.”
Before the little plant could reply, a lovely little sunbeam came dancing along and said, “I see no ugly flowers. They are all beautiful alike to me.” And, he kissed the apple blossom; but, he stooped low and lingered long to kiss the little yellow dandelion in the field!
And then, some little children came tripping across the field. The youngest laughed when they saw the dandelions and kissed them with delight. The older children made wreaths and dainty chains from them. They picked carefully those that had gone to seed, and tried to blow the feathery down off with one breath, making joyous wishes.
“Do you see,” said the sunbeam, “the beauty of the dandelion?”
“Only to children are they beautiful,” said the proud apple blossom.
By and by an old woman came into the field. She gathered the roots of the dandelions, out of which she made tea for the sick; and, she sold others for money to buy milk for the children.
“But beauty is still better than all this,” said the proud little apple blossom.
Just then the princess came along. In her hand she carried something that seemed like a beautiful flower. She covered it carefully from the wind. What do you think it was? It was the feather crown of a dandelion!
“See” she said, “how beautiful it is! I will paint it in a picture with the apple blossoms.”
Then the sunbeam kissed the apple blossom, and as he stooped low to kiss the dandelion, the apple blossom blushed pink with shame.
- Hans Christian Andersen
God, in “One of His Other Ways” teaches us through stories like this that all of His creation has value.
********
“The earth laughs in flowers.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
“April hath put a spirit of youth in everything.” - William Shakespeare
“Why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet, I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these.” Matthew 6:28-29 NIV
What does the Bible say about Spring? This season is a time of warming weather and nature coming back to life. As flowers bloom and animals are born, we are reminded of the innocence and beauty that exists in this world, and that there is new life all around us. As Christians, we are given new life and new mercies every morning. Spring provides a wonderful reminder to us that we should be living a full life and leaving the old dead parts of life behind. There is always hope during the coldest, darkest winters of life. Spring will come and new life will come forth!
“Let My teaching fall like rain and My words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.” Deuteronomy 32:2
*******************************************
If you liked this story and would like a copy of either of my books,
they are available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle format:
If you have a story or testimony that you think might bless others,
I invite you to send it by email to me (Kenneth Kersey) at godsotherways@me.com.
*******************************************