April Showers Brings May Flowers

Love a stranger, love your neigbor.

Once upon a time in a land not so far away there lived a young girl named April. April lived in a world full of sorrow and despair, coated in a thick layer of darkness. Beggars crowded the streets, neighbors locked their doors and families seldom spoke. It was a world full of business. Crowded with people wandering like empty vessels seeking land without a sail. April however, had the unique ability to see that the world was dotted, ever so lightly with the most beautiful specks of joy and kindness.

One day April was walking in the local market when she saw three bunches of bright daffodils. She picked up the flowers, smelled them and instantly knew, for some reason or another; she was supposed to buy them. The woman at the market smiled at the bright flowers "What a nice bunch of daffodils". "They are sure to bring a smile to someone’s face".

 With a bundle of daffodils in her basket, April headed outside to carry on with her day. It was then that she was struck by the oddest sense of Joy. Suddenly, the world regained color. The dark clouds parted and bright yellow sun spilled out over the streets. Still, people hurried about, heads down as if they were afraid to see the sun. April then noticed an old beggar on the corner of the street, holding a sign that said "Bless you for your kindness". He was invisible in the crowd, forgotten.  She picked up a canteen of water and some bread and headed towards the man. Waving with a smile, she greeted him with a bunch of flowers and water. He welcomed them with eager, dirty hands. His eyes were wide, clear and thankful. "Why thank you miss. I have a sick friend who could really use these flowers". With that, the two parted, and the sun began to shine a little brighter.

Now April was left with two bunches of flowers. Already overcome by the simple gesture, she began to weep. Nobody noticed as she stood on the street with her bright flowers and heavy heart. It suddenly began to rain, ever so lightly and tentatively. Not at all an unwelcomed rain. Rather, the type of rain that floats gently from the sky to sit on the petals of blooming flowers. The type of rain that brings life. As she headed home, April passed her neighbor’s house. The woman that lived in the house was old and battered by life’s burdens. She was alone, and had often quarreled with Aprils father. She walked up to the house, knocked on the door and clutched her flowers tightly. The two seldom spoke. In fact, Aprils family had forbidden her to speak with the "Old Hag". The town had spread rumors of her witchery and cold, bitter heart. But April knew the truth. She had watched from her bedroom window as the woman tended to her roses, singing softly to their budding heads. She was a lonely, sad, loveable soul. After a while of knocking it was apparent that nobody would answer.  Gently, April placed the flowers on her neighbors front step. She walked away and the rain stopped. Suddenly a rainbow spread across the sky. A promise of new light.

As the day grew darker, April headed inside to rest. She thought of keeping the last bundle of flowers to herself so that the light could illuminate her dark bedroom. But then, she had a better idea. In the next room sat Aprils younger sister May, who had grown into a lovely young girl. Although May didn't know this. She often looked to April as the beautiful, more talented sister.  April sat next to May, who was rather preoccupied with other things. The two seldom spoke, and when they did, they quarreled. She handed the flowers to May and said "These are for you". May took the bundle of flowers and smelled them. "They don't smell, but they sure are beautiful!" The two sat for a while, talking nonsense and laughing as young girls do. April than looked at May and said "You know I’m starting to see that you are just like a Daffodil my sister". May, with wide open eyes looked up at her older sister and replied, "You know, I'm starting to think that maybe I am".

With that the house light bloomed with a bright, bursting light and yellow flowers began to bloom in the cracks in the floor. April and May rushed outside and saw that the entire town had transformed with light. The sun was spilling out over the hills, and for the first time in years the people of the streets looked up to see the sky. Rubbing their stiff necks and tired eyes, they began to realize that there were other people all around them. Laughter filled the streets; music began to flood the air and the sun set with a smile.