MAY 27: The Jewelweed’s Visitor
“I am the Jewelweed flower, though I am sometimes known as the Touch-Me-Not flower, too.
“I have little seed pods and boys and girls love to pop open these pods, for then my seeds jump forth quite wildly and excitedly. I mean by my name of Touch-Me-Not, that no one must touch me unless he wants to be very much surprised!
“I am orange yellow in color and I have reddish spots upon me. I have also sometimes been called the Wild Lady’s Slipper because I am shaped something like that. And sometimes I’ve been called Lady’s Eardrops because my shape is something like a lady’s eardrop, too.
“I’m hoping I will have a caller to-day. I’m expecting one, I know. And I hope I won’t have to wait long. I haven’t seen this caller for some time.
“It is most exciting to expect a caller. Very, very exciting!
“They call me Jewelweed because in the early morning when I’ve taken my morning bath, as all good flowers do, in the Magic Dew Water which the Dewdrop Brothers bring around to us, I sparkle like jewelry.
“Oh, indeed! I always take a morning bath. Sometimes when it showers I take an extra bath.
“And always, when my bath is over, I look for Mr. Sun and I ask him to make my jewelry look pretty.
“Then my pretty leaves look so bright and sparkling. Yes, that is one of the reasons for my name.
“I do hope my visitor will be along soon. I asked him to come as soon as he came up this way.
“I sent word by the Breeze Brothers to be sure to let him know that I was waiting for him and that I hoped he would come to see me as soon as he arrived.
“Ah, I believe I hear my visitor coming. I believe I do.”
“May I come in, buzz-z-z-z-z-z-z-z, may I come in?”
“Oh, do,” said the Jewelweed. “I am expecting you.”
Then appeared Mr. Ruby-Throated Humming Bird who had just arrived from the South.
“Well,” he said, “how glad I am to see you.”
“And I am so glad to see you,” said the Jewelweed. “You must have a cooling sweet drink. I didn’t let any other visitors take any of it. No indeed! There was the Bee who tried to get me to give him a sweet drink, but I keep it deep down in my very center dining room where even the Bee with his long, thirsty tongue can’t get at it.
“I kept it for you, and you, with your tongue which can stretch out farther than your long bill, will be able to get it.
“Dear Mr. Humming Bird, I am so glad you have come. And you will have some refreshment, will you not?”
“Indeed I will, thank you, Jewelweed,” said the Humming Bird, “and it is indeed good of you to save your sweetness for me.”
“Ah, our families have been friends for so many years,” said the Jewelweed, “and I like to do as my family have always done.”
“I must be off now,” said the Humming Bird, “for as I have only just arrived I have a good many calls to make. There are a number of my flower friends who are expecting me to call as soon as I arrive. But may I come and see you again?”
“Oh, indeed yes,” said the Jewelweed, “and you will always be welcome. Make your other calls, but come back again soon.”
“I’ll be back soon,” said Mr. Humming Bird. “I have had such a charming call and it has been such a pleasure to feel that my visit has been so welcome.”
“Your visits are always welcome and always will be,” said the Jewelweed, “just so long as there are Jewelweeds and Humming Birds!”