Bloom Where You're Planted. A Free Short Story

 

Odette sank into one of her mother's creaky wooden kitchen chairs and sighed. "Sometimes I just don't understand people."

Her mom smiled sympathetically as she turned the kettle on. "Nasty customers again?"

"Yup. And there seem to be more and more of them these days. For every nice customer, there seem to be five rude ones. I wish they'd leave their bad attitudes at home or send someone else to do their shopping."

Odette's mom took down a couple of sunny yellow teacups and poured water into the round teapot. "It certainly sounds like you need a cup of tea. And a slice of apple pie."

"Sounds wonderful." Odette's eyes brightened. "There's nothing like your apple pie to cheer a person up."

The two women sat companionably at the table. Odette put the day's troubles out of her mind, and they chatted about other things.

When it was time for her to leave though, her mother suggested they have a quick tour of her garden. "There's something I want to show you."

She led Odette around the side of the house to the spot where she kept her rubbish bin. A clump of nasturtium plants were doing everything in their power to brighten up the neglected corner. "They just came up on their own." She chuckled. "Such determined little plants. I thought of them at once when you spoke of your troubles at work."

Odette looked puzzled. "How so?"

"Well, the nasturtium plants are going ahead and blooming right here where they found themselves. They didn't choose this situation, but this is where they are, and they're making the best of it."

"Bloom where you're planted." Odette laughed softly. "Thanks Mom. I get it. And from now on when I have to deal with a grumpy customer, I'll do my best to bloom. With God's help of course."

Odette's mom hugged her tight. Then she stooped and picked a posy of nasturtiums for her daughter.

***

In real life, in my garden :)