Sunny was an adorable little flower. He grew in a tiny pot in a garden at Gulbaug. Being the youngest flower, he was loved by all the other flowers and plants. They pampered him like a baby. They took utmost care of him.
The Jamun tree would bend down to caress and cuddle Sunny gently. The Gulmohar tree would shower him gently with its flowers.
At bedtime the old Banyan tree narrated stories to put him to sleep.
Sunny was a cheerful flower. He was always smiling. He spread his fragrance throughout the garden. He used to enjoy the monsoons. He would dance and sing along with the plants. Sometimes he spoke to the sparrows that sat on the nearby trees. He giggled and laughed at their jokes. The sparrows told him stories of the world outside the garden. Everyone adored him in their own way.
The bees were also fond of Sunny. They sat on his delicate petals and sang sweet songs. Champu the Bear owned the garden. He also loved Sunny.
He pampered him whenever he came to water the plants. Sunny was happy. He enjoyed the attention paid to him to the fullest.
One morning, Sunny opened his eyes to the warm sun rays. He looked around.
He found a small bud on a nearby plant. It seemed to be asleep. A thought struck his mind. He became upset. He was sad when he realised that he would no longer be the youngest anymore. He felt that everyone would start loving the new flower. They would now pay less attention to him. The affection that he previously got would now be divided once the new bud bloomed into a flower.
After a while, the news of the new bud spread throughout the garden. The entire garden was seen to be in a celebratory mood. Preparations for its arrival began in full swing. When a new bud was about to bloom in the garden there usually was a grand celebration. Everyone was happy to welcome the new guest.
The Banyan tree specially invited a cuckoo who sang a song for the newcomer. The leaves clapped aloud.
The bees sang in chorus. The squirrels performed an entertaining dance. Everyone showered their love on the bud. They waited for it to bloom into a beautiful flower.
Sunny was not happy with the attention that the new bud was getting. However, he still managed to be a part of the celebrations. Although he was cared for by others, he felt jealous of the new bud. Jolly flower was his best friend. He understood what was going on in Sunny’s mind. Jolly immediately went to the Banyan tree and told him everything.
The Banyan tree thought for a while. He sent a signal to all the plants and trees. They got the message. They gathered around Sunny. They began patting, cuddling and kissing him.
The Banyan tree affectionately said, “Son, all of us love you. Our love for you shall not reduce on the arrival of the new flower.”
The Guava tree said, “The new bud is very tiny and delicate. Therefore it needs lots of care. This doesn’t mean that we will not care for you.”
Jolly stepped forward and said, “Before you were born, I was the youngest flower in this Garden. Your arrival did not make me sad. I was happy thinking that I would have a companion to play with.” The green grass added, “Young ones need care and affection. It feels good to love and to be loved. You will surely adore the new flower when it blooms.”
All these words brought a wide smile on Sunny’s face. He understood that his thinking had been wrong. He was convinced that he would always be important to everyone.
He embraced the Banyan tree. He said, “You are so nice. You love me so much. I was unnecessarily feeling sad and insecure.”
He then turned to the other plants and said, “I love all of you. Now, even I am eager to see the new bud bloom.”|
Sunny looked at the bud and smiled. The bud seemed to be smiling back at him. A smile spread on everyone’s face. The Gulmohar tree showered its flowers on Sunny. Once again, the garden was filled with joy and happiness.
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