Red Rose Seeds.
How are you nurturing your opportunities?
Sam visited his grandma, Nana JoJo, after she returned from the hospital. Surprisingly, she gave him a little box that contained a few seeds as a gift.
Little Sam wondered why Nana JoJo would give him the last of her seeds. He always knew that she loved planting, but he didn't share the same vision. He was ten years old and only wanted to do what boys his age did—watch TV and bounce around with their balls.
But his mother seemed to understand and thanked her mother more than usual.
Sam got home with the excitement of watching a plant sprout from the depths of the dark soil. He gathered his mother's gardening tools from the shed and got to work the next day. Carefully, he secured the seeds in the soil firmly, covered it up, and watered it.
However, the situation began to dawn on him on the third day when he checked his backyard and was met with ordinary dark soil. Not a tiny plant grew.
Each day, he checked on it and took care of it, but to him, the gardening wasn't worth the effort. He had to pull out weeds every four days, water them, and carefully step around them. He was getting tired of the process.
Little Sam was eating his cookies in his mother's kitchen on a beautiful morning when he saw some people stop in front of his neighbor's house, gawking at something, before going their way.
In curiosity, he shoved the rest of his cookies in his mouth, chugged down his milk, and grabbed his jacket.
“Sammy, are you still eating?” His mother's voice called from the laundry room.
He hummed in response with a full mouth and disappeared out the front door. His petite but strong legs carried him to the street, and he pretended to look down the street, awaiting the friends he never invited over.
His eyes scanned the front of the house, similar to his. Then he saw it.
Rows of beautiful sunflowers shone brightly in the morning sun. It was appealing to the eyes, and people couldn't pass without stopping by to gaze at it.
Sam ran to his backyard to check on his progress. He got nothing. This angered him greatly, and he stopped tending to the garden. Most of his days were spent lazing around and admiring his neighbor’s sunflower garden from a distance.
The garden went four weeks unattended, and the seeds began to rot.
At school, the introduction of a new science contest required little Sam to purchase some really expensive materials in order to win. Little Sam loves science, so he went to his mother.
“Mummy, pleaseeeee”.
It was beginning to annoy Harriette. It seemed like the new song on Sam’s delicate lips. He chased her around the house, pleading immensely.
Harriette had a lot on her plate, as she needed to pay the rent, sustain food supplies, pay tuition, and cover other expenses. There was no way she could afford what Sam wanted. He looked really vulnerable each time he pleaded. She feared he would resolve into pleading with others, including strangers.
One day, she asked to her son, “Sam, what did you do with the seeds your nana gave you?”
He dragged his left foot on the floor, suddenly gaining interest in the floor below. He tucked his hands behind his back and puckered his lips.
“I planted it, but nothing was growing.”.
“I hope you still attend to it.”.
His eyes flashed with guilt. Harriette got her answer without him having to utter a word. She sighed, took his hand, and led him to the backyard.
Weeds had overtaken the ground.
“Did you know why your nana gave you those seeds?” She asked him. The little boy stood solemnly in front of his mother, flushing with embarrassment. His mother's towering figure wasn't helping him in any way.
“I’ll show you. Now get to work and clear this mess.”.
In five days, Sam had reclaimed his ground. His mother helped him monitor the progress. She drew him a chart to follow.
“Cultivate interest in your garden as much as you want those science materials.”.
That was all she needed to say. Sam heard her words and held them dear in his heart. Little Sam fully devoted his time, and as the days passed, he saw improvement.
It took a wholesome amount of determination, hard work, effort, and hope, and little Sam gave all he had.
In five weeks, red roses draped over the soil. It started with a few, then it grew.
Beauty was an understatement.
A strange man knocked on Sam's door. He was quite nervous about the response he would receive regarding his request. Harriette placed a comforting hand on her son's shoulder as they stood in front of the man.
“Tomorrow is my anniversary, and I have been seeking something special to gift my wife. I couldn't help but be drawn in by these beautiful roses; they smell nice as well. If you wouldn't mind selling me some of them, I will be glad.”.
Sam raised his head to meet his mother's eyes. She was already waiting for the gesture with a smile. They made the deal with the man and promised to get his roses trimmed and packed.
He was Sam’s first customer, and he wasn't the last. Sam got orders from different people, and he tended to them. They complimented his rose for having something special about its smell, unlike any other.
Sam got his science materials with the money he earned and was able to buy his mother a purse she had always wanted.
“Your nana knew I was going through some financial crises, and she promised me to give you what she had and hoped you made the best use of it. I am proud of you, son." Harriette placed the purse on the couch and pulled her son in for a hug.
He had turned 16 and learned a lot from the red rose seeds. Now, it’s time to understand your lessons from the red rose seeds.
You as Sam.
Sam had a lot going on for him. Let’s break this all down and see how it relates to you.
- His lack of interest in plants: In all honesty, we all wish we could have everything at our fingertips without moving a muscle. We want the finest things in life, all our time to ourselves, and no ounce of stress. But the reverse is the case, as life has demanded otherwise from an individual.
- His forehand excitement when he got the seeds and his reaction after some time: When you want to embark on a journey, it seems all exciting at the start until you feel your effort supersedes the rewards.
- As writers, for example, we begin with the burning passion to voice out what goes on in our heads; later on, we want people to relate to it and support us with sweet comments and possibly financially.
- The weight of the situation rests heavily on a writer’s shoulders as soon as days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months without the expected traction. This happens to everyone in their respective fields and life’s aspects.
- Sam's neglect of the garden after discovering the sunflowers: We all have people we’ve come across and admired for what they’ve accomplished. At times, when we don't check ourselves, we spend more time scrolling on social media than working on our own lives.
Never stop cultivating your rose seeds (life opportunities) after discovering other people's sunflowers (achievements) because you feel overwhelmed.
- Sam’s urgent need for the science project: As humans, no matter how young or old, you will definitely have needs that others might not be able to take care of for you.
Strive to be independent so that you can be there for yourself when the need arises.
- Sam's first sale: People will only approach a well-developed opportunity that they can gain from. If Sam had allowed the weeds to kill off his roses, there would never have been a first sale or any other sale. This doesn't only deal with making sales but also reputation.
Build an image that speaks well of you and gets people talking.
- Sam turning 16: This shows that good things take time. Be patient; it’s not unusual. Sam was able to get his science materials when he first started but afforded something bigger (his mother’s purse) as he grew older.
Be determined and devote your time to your growth. It’s worth it only if you give it a chance to flourish. Cultivate your rose seeds.
You, as Harriette
Harriette was a guide in the story, despite her own hardships.
Lesson: Strive to be the guide, beacon of hope, and ray of light for someone else who is in need of it, even if you have your own problems. Don't watch others go astray.
When you're in a position to render the best help you can, do so and contribute positively to someone’s life.
You as Nana JoJo
Nana Jojo gave Sam’s the seeds.
What we hear often is how to never let an opportunity slip. How about if we are in a place to offer the opportunity?
Don't be selfish, and offer what you can when you need to. Don't be handcuffed by nepotism, favoritism, racism, extremism, and the like.
Be the light that shines brightly on its own and is strong enough to rekindle another.
Hello, I’m Tabitha. Don’t know me yet? You might like to pay my ‘about me’ page a quick visit.
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Good bye for now!
