This happened many, many summers ago.

There was a young flower in the desert where all was dry and sad looking. It was growing by itself enjoying every day and saying to the sun "When shall I be grown up"?

And the sun would say "Be patient, each time I touch you, you grow a little".And she was so pleased because she would have a chance to bring beauty to this corner of sand. And this is all she wanted to do---bring a little bit of beauty to this world.

One day the hunter came by and stepped on her. She was going to die and she felt so sad, not because she was dying but because she would not have a chance to bring a little bit of beauty to this corner of the desert.

The great spirit saw her, and was listening. "Indeed", he said, "she should be living". And he reached down and touched her and gave her life.

And she grew up to be a beautiful flower...and this corner of the desert became so beautiful because of her.

--- Loki --- Sent in by Toshi Harris --- Alabama