Love's first Snowdrop ....

The Snow Drop
Hans Christian Andersen (Adapted)

The snow lay deep, for it was winter time. The winter winds blew cold, and a flower lay tucked up safely in its bulb, under the earth and snow.

One day the rain fell and trickled through the ice and snow down into the ground. And presently a sunbeam, pointed and slender, pierced down through the earth, and tapped on the bulb.

"Come in," said the flower.

"I can't do that," said the sunbeam - "I'm not strong enough to lift the latch. I shall be stronger when springtime comes."

"When will it be spring?" asked the flower of every little sunbeam that rapped on its door. But for a long time it was winter. The ground was still covered with snow, and every night there was ice in the water.

The flower grew quite tired of waiting. "How long it is!" it said. "I feel quite cramped. I must stretch myself and rise up a little. I must lift the latch, and look out, and say 'good morning' to the spring."

So the flower pushed and pushed. The walls were softened by the rain and warmed by the sunbeams, so the flower shot up from under the snow, with a pale green bud on its stalk and some long narrow leaves on either side. It was biting cold.

"You are a little too early," said the wind and the weather - but every sunbeam sang, "Welcome," and the flower raised its head from the snow and unfolded itself - pure and white, and decked with green stripes.

There are many versions of this little snowdrop story, including some in rhyme, as well as many poems by illustrious writers. Probably my favourite is dear old Rabbie Burns .....


Humid seal of soft affections,
Tenderest pledge of future bliss,
Dearest tie of young connections,
Love's first snowdrop, virgin kiss!


I'll be away for a few days, off with my sister if the weather doesn't stop us. Have a good weekend and see you next week.