The Flower and the Raven

Philip G. Ney

November 1998

Not long ago and not far from here, there is a deep valley between the mountains, where the sun shines for only half an hour a day. In that valley, there is a beautiful flower. And though she is alone, she is not unhappy. She lifts her beautiful face in the direction where the sun will peek over the mountains and turns it to where the sun will set, and there she stays for the night.

One day, the haughty black raven saw the beautiful little flower, so he circled down from his mountain roost and landed beside the flower to engage her in conversation.

"Little flower, you seem so happy, content and peaceful, and yet you only see the sun for half an hour a day."

She replied, "Ah, bold raven! You who soar above the mountains and can experience the sun longer than other creature could not possibly appreciate the sun like I do. You see, I spend all morning anticipating the arrival of the sun. For the half hour I feel its glorious rays, I make a memory of every moment. And when the sun has gone behind the mountain, I spend the afternoon thinking of all that I have enjoyed and praising our glorious Creator."

The raven didn't want to be impolite, but he couldn't help showing some of his disdain.

"But little flower, think of me. I can enjoy a full day of the sun, to see it both rise and set."

"Yes, but master raven, then you sleep. Spend a day with me, raven, and see for yourself."

The raven consented, had a cool drink, then flew up to a branch where he tried to follow the flower's advice and think about all his experience of the glorious sun. Unfortunately, his empty tummy rumbled and he thought more of where he could find something to eat.

Gradually it became darker, but the raven watched the little flower slowly close her petals, but not before she sang a quiet song in praise of the Lord of Creation.

It was a hungry night for the raven, but just as the sky was turning light, he heard the flower call him.

"Wake up, raven! Think about the half hour of sunlight we are about to have."

The raven looked gloomy.

"I am sorry little flower, but I can't help but think more of food than sunshine"

But the raven did his best. Truly, by know he began to realise how wonderful it was to have the sun and he began to eagerly anticipate the short period of sunlight. Eventually the sun came over the mountain, and the raven experienced a deep thrill, so much so that he couldn't help himself. He flew off his branch in higher and higher circles. The poor flower thought she had lost her new-found friend. He was soon a speck in the sky, then disappeared altogether from sight.

The raven had, in fact, landed on the mountain top, and, in his own way, was singing a deep raven song. A raven song, especially in the spring or in the evening, can be full of deep and high notes, an intricate melody.

Eventually the sound of the raven's singing drifted down to the little flower, and she shortly after saw him circling down toward her. When he landed, there was joy on his black face.

"My raven, how you can sing! Let's sing together."

So, as in congress as it might seem, the flower and the raven sang a duet, the likes of which the woodland creatures had never heard before.

When they had finished, the raven looked very thoughtful.

"Little flower," he said. "You have taught me something very important. It's not how much you have, but how much you appreciate what you do have. I could have the sun all day, but forgot to thank the Lord. You have the sun for just half an hour, but you truly appreciate what he has given you."

"And you, master raven, have taught me something. There is a big world out there I know nothing of, and to hear about it could make me jealous that I don't also experience what you have. But, on the other hand, you have shown me that what I have is unique and I must not give it away, trying to get something I was not designed to have."

"It seems the Great Lord knows what we need and gives us according to how He has designed us. Woe betide those who keep back any creature from what they were designed to experience and know."

"Good-bye little flower, I must return to my family. But please, little flower, teach my children what you have taught me. I will send them down. Be patient with them. They are young and a bit careless. Someday, I hope we can again sing together."

You may have never seen this little flower, or the deep valley, or met the raven, but if you have discovered their truth, don't keep it to yourself. And remember, in all things be thankful. The Lord your Creator is a loving father, and He knows precisely what you need.