DAGMAR, THE CZECH REPUBLIC - SUNFLOWER.

Once upon a time there was a small tear-shaped seed which fell into a good rich soil. When the sky burst into cry and watered the ground, a curious little green tail poked out of the seed.

The soil was thick with moisture and nutrition and the little tail was getting stronger. A tiny plant started heading towards the blue sky. A few graceful arms sprang up from the green stem and the hands opened wide into large leaves. All of a sudden a little ball appeared at the end of the stalk, like a head on a long elegant neck and then its beautiful face surrounded by a mane of yellow petals came into blossom.

Sunflower spread out her large leaves and small creatures found shade under them. In a boiling hot summer day they would meet up there to relax and have a chat. They all were admiring the beauty of Sunflower and she was showing off and turning her wonderful sun-like face proudly to the sky. She was sure that there wasn’t another wonderful flower like her far and wide. Even the Sun could not be a match.

However, the scorching hot lasted and caused a horrible drought. There hadn’t been a single rain drop for many days and the ground was getting dry. It was bursting, cracking and opening its thirsty mouth craving for water.

Sunflower tilted her head and hung her arms. All the creatures made a dash for the coolness of the forest, seeking a hiding place from the sun. Sunflower was left alone. She was abandoned and let down by her unfaithful followers. She was fading. Her charm disappeared. She bent down her head as she bowed to the Sun and plenty of tear-shaped seeds were streaming down her face onto the ground.

The wind blew the seeds all around and after a severe winter, when the snow melted and the spring came, little curious tails poked out of the seeds once again. They grew up in a field of sunflowers all of which were turning their proud heads towards their sky, showing their beautiful faces to the world.