The Parable of the Pansy

  A gardener loved his garden very much. In it, plants both thrived and struggled under the dedicated hand of their gardener. Some plants grew large and beautiful, some grew to just their right size, and some did not reach even their smallest potential, sprouting only to a miniature model of what they could be, or wilting beneath the sun. No plant was left without care, no plant was neglected or mistreated. Each was loved by the gardener and given the best care the gardener had to offer.
  Late one summer, the gardener planted a small yellow pansy, hoping to add its color and life to the last of the summer's flower bed. Although it was a pretty flower, in comparison to the other flowers the pansy was small, quaint, and rather unremarkable. The blooms were few and far between and their dainty yellow petals were enjoyed only briefly by those who cared to really look. Regardless of its seeming insignificance, the gardener loved the pansy, and tilling the ground around it one day, whispered of its beauty and the light it brought to the garden, thanking the pansy for what it had given in its brief stay.
  As Fall came, the garden slowly diminished. Leaves turned their last colors, the last harvest came and went, and soon many of the flowering plants were taken up, having finished their assigned season. As the gardener made his way through the garden, he came upon the pansy's small yellow flower facing the fading sun. "What a lovely blossom." the gardener said, and seeing that the pansy was happy, let the pansy stay. Weeks passed and each time the gardener made his rounds to clean up the garden, he was pleased to see there in its small spot, the pansy smiling up.
  Soon winter had come upon the garden. The first snow had fallen lightly, and the gardener made his last visit to the garden until Spring. He cut back a few bushes, and raked the last of the leaves. As he made his way home, through the flakes of snow, he saw the familiar spot of yellow. "Little pansy," he sighed as he knelt beside the tiny plant, "What would you have me do with you? The winter is coming and you may not be strong enough to weather the storms that will blow." The pansy stood tall, sturdy and unwavering, showing its desire to remain. "I have more to give." it cried. "All right, " the gardener said with admiration, "I will let you stay. Your time here will not be easy. You will face cold, harsh storms, and may spend days without seeing the sun. So, be strong little one, let your roots run deep. I will watch over you from afar." As the gardener left the garden, he turned one last time to see the pansy, so small and true, there in the falling snow. "I trust I've done the right thing by that tender flower." And with that, he closed the gate.
  Winter blew in, as most winters do, with flurries and blizzards. The ground was frozen, hard as ice. there were many nights that the little pansy shivered int he bitter cold. The gardener watched as the snow piled higher in the garden, and prayed the little pansy would pull through. One week, not long into the Spring season, a warm spell fell over the garden. the snow melted a bit and patches of ground could be seen. The gardner paid a visit to the garden to inspect his grounds. His eyes searched over the ground, then fell on the spot where the little pansy stood. Tears brimmed his eyes, as he beheld the dear little flower. It's leaves were green and healthy, it's blossoms were full and bright. When other plants would have withered in the wintery weather, the pansy now stood, stronger and more beautiful than before. "You have proven yourself my little flower, to be stronger than most. You have lasted the long, hard winter, and have become better for it. you are more beautiful than ever, and you still have so much more to give." The pansy smiled within and looked up into the sunlight with its small, yellow, seemingly unremarkable beauty, knowing that it indeed had so much more to give.