Once Upon a Time . . .
. . . in a land far away lived a king and queen in a beautiful palace. They had everything in the whole world to make them happy, but the queen was sick and very sad.
She sat in her chair by the window and thought, “Oh, I wish I had something to help me feel better.”
Of course, the king wanted his queen to be happy, and so he decided, “I will send messengers all over the land to tell people, ‘I will grant a wish to anyone who can please the queen.’”
The king’s proclamation came to the ears of Ceneth, who lived with his mother in a wee cottage far away. They were very poor and the boy had to do odd jobs to earn pennies for food. Although he wanted to help the queen, he was at a loss, “What can I do to make the queen happy?”
His mother, a wise woman, suggested “Perhaps your friend, the forest, can help you.”
Ceneth replied, “Oh, no, the forest is dead, the trees are bare, the moss is dry and the flowers are still asleep.” The next day, he went into the woods to gather firewood. Along the way, he was thinking of the queen. When he stooped to pick up sticks, he caught a glimpse of something blue. There it was! A violet plant with a mass of deep blue violets, the deepest blue he had ever seen.
His heart leaped with joy as he thought, “That means that winter is over and soon the forest will be blooming. I will take some violets to the queen. Then she will know that spring is on its way and be happy again.”
Very carefully, Ceneth dug out the violets and made a bed for them from the moss and sticks. Then he carried it home as fast he could. His mother offered him a white crock to put the blooms in and then filled it with soft black earth: “Tomorrow I will take this gift to the queen.”
Ceneth walked to the palace and though the guards would not let him enter, he slipped in when the gates opened to let a carriage pass through. When he reached the throne room, he saw lavish gifts on a large table: fruit from foreign lands, sparkling jewels and precious gems. When the young boy saw these gifts, he turned to leave the room. The king called as he was leaving, “Oh, please stay; do you have a gift for the queen too?”
Ceneth turned around and stood before the throne. Facing the queen he said, “I found these violets in the woods yesterday. They show that spring is coming soon.” Then he placed the crock of violets in the queen’s hands. The queen was overjoyed! She told Ceneth: “These violets are beautiful. They are the first spring flowers I’ve seen. If spring is coming, I know I will feel better.”
Turning to Ceneth, the king said, “What is the wish you want me to grant?”
When Ceneth told the king he had no wish, the king said, “I need a boy to live in the palace and work for me. Will you come?” He declined the kind offer because he had to care for his mother. Then the king proposed, “Your mother can come too. We’ll send a carriage to bring her here now.”
And so that night Ceneth and his mother slept in their own rooms in the king’s palace. He was thankful for his new home and happy that his simple gift had pleased his queen.
~ Adapted from “The Gift of Spring” Come to Storyland
There are several childhood books in my library in the I’ll-never-part-with category, except maybe to pass on to grand-children. One of them is the Come to Storyland with some of its 160 pages missing and others as brittle as autumn leaves. The first page of the story was mended with yellowed cellophane tape–not Scotch Magic Tape. I found a copyright page for sale on eBay for $12.99 or best offer. The artwork recalls the stippled style of Georges Seurat of Pointillism fame. So goes the partial provenance of a children’s book likely printed in 1940.
Most of us feel better taking a walk or lingering in a garden. We have felt the healing power of nature.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati urge us to incorporate nature as medicine into our routine. The article goes on to explain that “Being in nature can help reduce anxiety, lower blood pressure, enhance immune system function and boost self-esteem and mood.” And ancient Japanese practice urges, “Bathe yourself in the balm of nature and feel refreshed,” an admonition I noted in a post titled 7 Tips for Forest Bathing.
Flowers lure us with their beauty and scent.
© MLB
© MLB
© MLB
© MLB
Birds too can buoy our spirits.
Birds often represent freedom. Flying high, they can symbolize a soul that soars, breaking free from the ties that bind us to an earthly existence, so says Bruno Bettelheim in The Uses of Enchantment. Gliding on a lake’s calm surface, birds surely summon serenity.
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Do you believe Ceneth from “The Gift of Spring” was happier living in the palace than in his forest cottage?
Can you identify all the flowers shown? What is in your garden?
How does being in nature restore your soul, or heal your body?
Good morning, Marian! I almost always feel better after I take a walk outside.
One of the dVerse poets who is fighting in Ukraine mentioned the forest therapy that he is involved with.
How cool you have some of your childhood books!
Your walks yield wonderful photos of weather, scenery with reflections. I’m happy to hear a Ukrainian is benefiting from forest therapy, surely a balm mid the violence.
Always nice to meet you here early Wednesday mornings, Merril! 😀
I enjoy meeting you here, too, Marian! 😊
What a lovely post, Marian! Especially with the beautiful flower photos. Loved the story! I’m so glad you held on to that storybook.
We’ve had a lot of rain recently. Spring showers, I guess The trees are lush. I haven’t seen many flowers, so I’m glad to see your photos.
I believe Ceneth was happier, because he expressed thanks. The king’s offer seemed like a reward. His mother might have received better care.
I’m guessing flowers will join the “lush” trees in your area very soon. I know you like stories; thanks for commenting about this one, L. Marie! 😀
Such a lovely story and all those pretty flower images thank you Marian I still have a couple of my childhood books but many I gifted to grandchildren when we moved here x
Gifting childhood books to grandchildren is a smart thing to do, especially since you moved far away. I’m glad you enjoy the flowers; perhaps some species bloom in Thailand.
Thank you, Carol! 😀
Hi Marian I would say most of the species above grow here especially the orchid it seems to me that vegetables and fruits are the fussier ones as to where they grow flowers seem to adapt more to differing climates…I hope your week is going great 🙂 x
Thanks, Carol, for the followup here. 😀
Oooo, this is the type of story I loved as a child. Thanks, Marian, I really enjoyed it. It felt like the fables I used to read. I love how you have held onto the book your entire life. And I would believe that Ceneth would be alright in the palace because it would be better for an aging mom and he could visit his beloved forest at any time he missed it. Love the flowers too!! 😊
Like me, I guess you could “disappear” into a book and become part of the story.
So far, the consensus is with Ceneth being happy in the palace. Thanks for registering your opinion, Melanie. 😀
I really enjoyed this story, Marian. I hope to read it to my granddaughter Lydia next time I see her. Today I had an experience in nature that was elevating. We visited the Anabaptist cave which one reaches by walking from a paved path to an unpaved path with pastures and cows on both sides and then entering a woods. The stone cave is large, and a stream of water from the mountains high above falls over the edge. In the 1520s Felix Manz and other Anabaptists hid here and worshipped here, far from the constables in Zurich. It was a perfect place for our group to sing “What is this place?”
Well, Shirley, I need to keep hanging with you. 😀
Yesterday I learned about Anabaptist women (some in chains in the 1500s) and today you describe s stone cave, a hidden place of worship for Felix Manz and others.
I’m guessing you are referring to this awesome song, “What is This Place?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY30kyyMng4
Huge thanks!
I agree with L Marie: “His mother might have received better care.”
Thanks for chiming in from PA, where “April showers bring May flowers”! 😀
Oh and the lovely lake and geese brought morning coffee by the lake memories!!
I’m still eating breakfast in view of the lake.
You’re one of the few who’ve seen it in person. 😀
I LOVED the story! I’ve been all a-twitter the past two days because our azaleas are blooming. We also have wild violets popping up all over the place.
Azaleas–I love them.
I remember violets in Grandma Longenecker’s woods, but none I’ve seen growing wild in Florida.
Thanks, Liz! 😀
You’re welcome, Marian!
Your flowers are so pretty! I love spending time outside puttering in my tiny garden, watching the birds, or reading a book. My body doesn’t cooperate so I have to endure many weeds. Trying to grow some veggies this year in a big tub! 😝
Jenn, don’t feel bad: I can’t keep up with the weeds either.
I’ve “seen” your big tub. High hopes for some veggies this year! 😀
This is lovely, Marian. I love the color of those flowers. For me, violets and hepatica are signs of spring along with trout lilies (dog tooth violets). I have been ill and we’re having a cool wet spring. I’m hoping for a change in the weather and warmer days, although I feel my dog and I already sleep in the palace in what was once my grandmother’s bed.
Elaine, I hope warmer days in June will bring an end to your illness. So sorry to hear this.
Some time ago you gave your readers a peek into your bedroom; I do remember your grandmother’s lovely, ornate bed. I can picture Disco too!
Hugs for recovery very soon! 😀
Oh yes, spring in all its glory! Thank you for this uplifting post, Marian! The Mandevilla is especially beautiful. I have one on my porch every summer. This summer I bought one that has three different colored blossoms. One plant!
Elfrieda, I know nature brings you much joy, especially flowers.
I have a canna lily with three colors: red, yellow, and maroon.
It’s always great to see you here! 😀
What a wonderful fairy tale! Thanks for sharing it. I’m pleased that you sill have these precious books.
About the book: When Mother died, my sisters and I went through our childhood books: bedtime stories, young readers, and this paperback. We all three got an assortment. This was probably the most fragile. Glad you enjoyed it, Darlene! 😀
I loved the story from the older book. I have several treasured story books on my shelves as well. Those kind of stories do offer wisdom that stands the test of time.
I’m sure my flowers in Ottawa, Canada are very different from yours! My garden is only now really coming to life. But I appreciate it even with its shorter lifespan. Spring does come!
I hope you are enjoying an Ottawa spring. I know it will be lush, but with blooms different from mine. I agree about story books, Arlene: Their wisdom is ageless! 😀
Here’s to the power of nature and appreciating the beauty around us instead of always focusing on the negative. Whenever I need a mental boost, I take a walk in the sunshine. It works nearly every time.
Taking a walk in the sunshine gives you Vitamin D, which builds bones and keeps brain cells working too. Way to go, Pete! 😀
That’s a wonderful children’s book, Marian. I’d never heard of it. Your flowers are beautiful. And yes, the sunshine is my happiness medicine. 💚
I hope sunshine is brightening up your Toronto Saturday, Debby! 😀
Thanks Marian. Sadly, today is back to autumn – very cool and grey skies. But alas, tomorrow summer will return. LOL 😂😍
I cannot identify all the flowers but I love them all the same. I find that being in nature, whether it is a forest or wandering around a city park, centers me. It takes me out of my head, a messy place, to a space where possibility lurks.
Amen to all that, Ally Bean. When I feel tense at my keyboard or keyed up inside my rooms, I take to roaming about outside. I like how you refer to it as a space “where possibility lurks.” 😀
Hi Marian, thank you for this lovely story. It is very cheering 🌼🌞
Glad to hear it, Robbie. Flowers and walks in nature will do that!