Dolly Daffodil

by Lana Truong Tang

Dolly Daffodil could feel she was ready to sprout.

Except all her family and friends would shout:

“No, not yet! It’s not time! It’s too early in the season”

Her flower village warned of the dangers and reasons:

“The false warmth, hungry predators, sometimes even frost!”

But Dolly Daffodil could feel in her roots that she was ready to take head on, whatever was waiting for her, beyond the permafrost.

But when is the right time to sprout?

Is there ever a good time?

Daddy Daffodil shared, “Listen to the birds chirp and sing.

The buds will grow on the trees, these are the signs of early spring.”

“But, I think I’m ready now,” she continued to ponder,

“Will I be okay? I want to shine in the world - a place of wonder.”

Mommy Daffodil listened and shared, “You may find harsh winds, cold rain, and tough grounds ahead,

But we know when you get past those, you will thrive.”

“Ok,” Dolly Daffodil thought, “I’m ready to go.”

So Dolly Daffodil said her goodbyes, and prepared for her journey towards the sky.

But right as she started her journey, she started to feel some shakiness in her core.

She wasn’t sure she could venture ahead anymore.

She could also feel all the rocks and bumps in her journey.

“What if they were all right? Maybe it is too early.”

She even encountered a worm that said, “Please hold!

I was just out there because of rain and it’s just too cold!”

But she pushed on, through the rocks and mud, and even hard words.

Until…She could feel it.

That fresh air, the beautiful world that she knew that was waiting.

She felt that she was doing the right thing and just kept blooming.

———

For all those “early spouters” waiting to sprout and shine - the world is waiting for you!