The Flower and the Firefly

Kim Lawrence D. Cortez @kyem_lowrenz

Once upon a time, a flower lived in a garden. The flower is so beautiful that every insect would come to her pot just to witness her godly perfected petals and beauty. Many plants envy her because of how popular she is.

However, the flower is still sad.

“It’s like everyone just sees me as an ornament, like I’m just a piece of art to look at. I don’t want to live like this. I must find my purpose,” the flower said as she cried one night.

Under the moonlight, the flower cried and cried. She is full of doubts about herself. She is lost. Living in the garden is like being pent up inside a cage and she feels very suffocated.

But in the middle of her grief, a small glimpse of light showed up. The flower stopped crying and began staring at the glowing light she saw. She was amazed by this beautiful creature, like seeing a dream come true.

“Who are you?,” the flower asked.

“I’m a firefly,” the beautiful insect said. “Why is a flower as beautiful as you crying?”

“I feel very lost. I can’t find the motivation to live.”

“Do you want to come with me? I promise I’ll take you to the most beautiful place and your life will be much happier.”

The flower agreed to follow the firefly. Blinded by the hope that its light showed her, the flower began a journey. She left the garden and crossed rivers, climbed mountains, and flew miles to reach the destination the firefly promised her.

However, when the sun started to show up, the firefly vanished. The flower was left alone in an unknown land with no water, nor plants. The flower started to panic and her heart went weak as her roots dried up because of her thirst. Her once beautiful petals withered and her beauty faded.

“I should’ve been content with what I have. I shouldn’t have left the garden. Now I’m in solitude and much more in despair. I shouldn’t have followed the firefly. I shouldn’t have been blinded by his light.”

dagli

Gising!

Sebastian Ardie M. Tan @sbs_tan

Gumising si Rafael sa sinag ng araw na pumapasok mula sa kanyang balkonahe. Kinuha ni Rafael ang kanyang telepono at tinawag ang kanyang katulong.

“Yaya, dalhan mo ko dito ng kape at almusal, gusto ko ng bacon and egg, paki-poach na rin” utos ni Rafael.

Hindi nagtagal at dumating na ang kanyang katulong, dala ang kape at almusal na iniutos ni Rafael.

“Yaya, pakisabihan si Miguel na linisin ang pool, dumating ang mga business partners ko, magpaparty kami, bumili ka na rin ng Cuervo” muling utos ni Rafael sa kanyang katulong.

Naubos na ni Rafael ang kanyang almusal at kumuha ng dyaryo para magbasa. Lumipas ang ilang minuto ay nakarinig si Rafael ng ingay mula sa labas ng kanyang kwarto. Tunog ng dyipni, busina ng mga sasakyan, sigaw ng mga tindera at halakhakan ng mga batang naglalaro.

“Yaya! Ano ba ‘yang ingay na naririnig ko, bakit ganyan!” galit na sigaw ni Rafael.

Hindi tumutugon ang katulong kaya hindi na nakapigil si Rafael para lumabas ngunit hindi niya mabuksan ang pinto. Hindi tumitigil ang ingay at lalo pa itong lumalakas sa pagtagal.

“Tay! Gising na nananaginip ka na naman, tanghali na, mangangalakal pa tayo” nanggigigil na bigkas ni Ralph.

“Akala ko mayaman na ako, panaginip na naman pala.”