Feb 12, 2009

Autobiography of the Ugly Duckling

Hello, Everyone! I am one of the earliest inhabitants of Plantville, but infamous one though. I was severed off my mother a year ago along with my siblings. I shouted at the gardener – “Oy! I’m very small! Not yet. Wait for some time!” in vain, only to be severed and plopped into a plastic bag of sand and other essential food along with my siblings, who were happily settling themselves in their tents. Well, they would be, ‘coz they’re well grown and can show off their buds or flowers and some would mature in a matter of days, unlike me, who looked like an ugly duckling!
But I remembered what my mom told me before I was severed, “Honies! Listen to momma! No matter how hard your future be, always be optimistic and repeat to yourself during times of hardship – ‘This’ll pass by’” and that’s what I kept repeating to myself, but it seemed that my hardships wouldn’t pass by ever! Many people visited me in the nursery and excitedly picked my brothers and sisters throwing a disgustful look at me.
Finally it was a hot summer day when I was picked up by my dear owner. I was so excited, at the same time terrified too. May be he was going to throw me away after seeing that I looked ugly? I shut my eyes tight, praying silently, repeating the mantra my mom taught me. In few minutes, the earth shook around me and wind blew hard. My heart sank! May be I am being thrown into the dumpster! Oh no! I opened my eyes to see that there were other friends around me and I was in my owner’s scooterette!
I was picked! I was picked! The fear flew away with the wind. In a matter of hours, I was tucked into my new, spacious room! Wow! That felt great – to have your own room! Days later, a friend arrived. He looked harmless, but in a matter of few days, he grew like a monster, demanding the entire room! My owner soon plucked him out, giving back the room to myself! I didn’t live in glory in Plantville though. No one looked at me when I came in. No red carpets, or band orchestra!
My ancestors didn’t feature Old Hag’s (Iruvâkshî) stories and all around me, my friends bloomed crazily. Few mocked at me too and said, “He’s never gonna mature.”
I felt like crying, but didn’t do so. I didn’t want to express my emotions and make myself week and so I held my head high. My owner always smiled at me which made me feel great … special! Then came the twins who shared my room. I was initially wary of them. I wasn’t all that glad they’re gonna share my huge room and I silently prayed that they’d go away. Somehow they’ll be plucked away like my previous monstrous friend.
That didn’t seem to happen and soon the twins grew fast. Rains came by… Autumn blew by… Winter gushed forwards… The twins and I became thick friends. They always told me how beautiful I was and how beautiful I’d grow into soon, bearing blooms that’d shut the others’ mouths. Though I knew they were saying that just to console me, the words felt great. By Winter’s strong rains, the twins began bearing flowers and they looked beautiful.I sighed and turned my face away. Before the winter went past, my twins were infested. I was alarmed for them. Our owner tried his best to treat them, but the life was over for them. Somehow, I felt guilty. Was it my prayers that brought this to them? I cried as they were pulled out. I felt wretched and sulked always. No matter what my owner whispered to me, I couldn’t get the thought that I killed my buddies out of my mind.
Weeks later, one fine morning, I felt different! Something has changed in me… I felt that I’ve grown! I looked at myself and realized that I was bearing buds! Like my friends told me! A week later, I was all blooming and became the center of attraction. That felt awesome! Everyone said how beautiful I looked. How great my flower looked! How different I looked now! Wow! That feels awesome! If only my friends were here to share my joy… [sigh]
Desert Rose - Adenium obesum

21 comments:

tina said...

Lucky little plant is beautiful!

Rose said...

How creative, Chandramouli! If plants could talk, this is no doubt what this little guy was thinking. I'm going to do my best to adopt quite a few lonely little plants this spring:)

Anonymous said...

Sweet story of a pretty little plant! :)

Kerri said...

I love a happy ending :) A fun story and very creative, Chandramouli. Such a pretty flower too!

MarionL said...

She is beautiful! My favorite saying is the same as this little plant's: "This, too, shall pass." Which is why we should all savor each and every moment of every day!

Blessings, and thank you for your wonderful photos, writing and flowers.

Michelle said...

What a sweet story! Lovely blossom. Can I have a ride on the scooterette too?

Chandramouli S said...

It is. I adore it, Tina :) Thank you. He'd love to hear that.

I did feel he was lonely when I saw him in the nursery compared to other Adeniums that looked proud with many branches and buds waiting to bloom.

perennialgardener: Thank you :)

Thank you, Kerri. He does have pretty blooms. In fact he's gonna bloom one more tomorrow!

Right said, Marion. That's a saying that his mother might have adopted from our one of our ancient tales where a prince is told the same by his father, which made him glorious after many wars.

Thank you, Michelle. Sure! My grateful scooterette loves riding people, but beware! It's a noisy little brat!

TYRA Hallsénius Lindhe said...

Applouse, ovation, I love your story Chandramouli. You people from India must have it in your blod. the gift of telling lovely stories.

xoxo Tyra

Chandramouli S said...

Oh, thank you, Tyra. :) It's a gift passed over lineages, but I still feel not completely able to express myself and that I should refine!

Catherine@AGardenerinProgress said...

I LOVED your story. I'm glad that the ugly duckling never gave up!

Anonymous said...

Such a charming story Chandramouli! I'm a sucker for a happy ending. The ugly duckling grew into quite a beauty.

PJ said...

what a sweet post. And lovely pictures to match

Chandramouli S said...

He was one tough chap, Catherine. Thank you from Adenium :)

Thank you, Robin :) It was a pleasant surprise to see him bloom so soon.

Thank you so much, Prue

RAJI MUTHUKRISHNAN said...

What a sweet story. And how well you have illustrated it.

Chandramouli S said...

Thank you Ms Muthukrishnan :)

Unknown said...

Wow, the desert rose is a survivor! Very pretty too!

Chandramouli S said...

He is, isn't he, Kanak! Adorable lil' fella. Thank you :)

Antigonum Cajan said...

There is a list of ugly ducklings in my humble tropical blog. However,
these never became handsome in my eyes.

Chandramouli S said...

Antigonum Cajan: You need to be patient for them to turn into lil' princesses. Good luck with them :)

Unknown said...

Chandramouli,
I stumbled upon your blog quite by accident, but I'm glad I did! Lovely tale told very creatively. I particularly liked the humour in these lines: In few minutes, the earth shook around me. Only somebody who has driven a scooter on pot-holed Indian roads would know that haha.

Chandramouli S said...

Lively: Thank you so much for your kind comments :)
LOL! So true, but that's a sad truth that over years the roads have never changed... Glad I entertained you :)