"Spring Day"

"How beautiful the weather is today! It is springtime, the perfect season for planting flowers..." — said Zion, smiling happily at the bright sky.

"Grandpa! Come inside, you’re back from school already?"

Zion waved his hand and called Joseph over.

"Come here, my child. Help me plant these flowers."

Joseph ran towards him, carrying his bag, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Grandpa! I have something amazing to tell you. I saw new farming machines and equipment over there in the field, used for harvesting..." — Joseph shared excitedly.

Zion nodded slowly, looking at the young boy with a mix of pride and nostalgia.

**"You know, my child, things are truly different now compared to before. Life has become so much easier for people because of electric tools and modern inventions. Everything has changed, and changed greatly. Especially now that it is already the year 2000... we live in a modern, advanced era.

But back in my time? Oh, it was very different. We only used our bare hands and simple tools. We didn’t have proper equipment because of poverty. There were no metal tools, and above all, no silver or gold to buy fine things. Unless you were someone of high rank or position in the kingdom, you had nothing. It was a hard life, very different from yours today... isn’t that right, my grandson?"**

Joseph listened carefully and nodded.

"Yes, Grandpa, I understand what you mean."

He paused for a moment, then gathered his courage to ask the question weighing on his mind.

**"Grandpa... may I ask you something, and I hope you won’t take it the wrong way? Why is it that you always stay here, in this vast field, instead of living comfortably in the city? We need to keep up with the times and how people live now. Why can’t you let go of this land? You always come here early in the morning and late in the afternoon, just to look at them and water them... these countless flowers, especially the Daisies.

They are the only plants you take care of every single day — morning, noon, and afternoon. You do this even at your age! You really should rest now, Grandpa. Your knees might ache or go numb from working too hard.

And Grandpa... to make your work faster and easier, you should buy some machines or tools. You can afford it, right? You have enough savings to pay for them... I apologize if I speak too much, or if I am interfering. I just say this because I don’t want you to suffer or struggle. I really worry about you, especially when you are here all alone at home, while I am away at school..."**

Grandpa Zion smiled warmly, his eyes soft with affection.

"You know what, my child? You are truly very kind. Thank you for your advice and for worrying about me. I know I am old now, and sickness can easily catch up to me. But regarding your advice... honestly, I really do not want to rest yet. Besides, you are capable enough to handle yourself now. You are seventeen years old already. You should learn to be independent now, for you have a mature mind and understanding. I want you to grow up free, so you will have no regrets in life..."

"But why, Grandpa?" — Joseph asked, confused.

"Oh well... since you really won’t stop worrying about me, then fine... I will agree to rest eventually."

Joseph’s eyes suddenly welled up with tears, feeling a pain in his chest.

"Is that true, Grandpa? Don’t you love me anymore? Why do you have to say things like that? Are you going to leave me for a long time? You know, Grandpa... I haven’t even repaid you for everything you’ve done for me. I am so grateful for everything in my life because you are the one who raised and cared for me. So please... do not speak like that..." — tears began rolling down his cheeks.

Zion gently patted Joseph’s shoulder, his expression turning serious yet gentle.

"Joseph, listen to me. I will never leave you easily. Not as long as I am still breathing, and as long as no serious illness has befallen my body. And if God grants me a longer life and a peaceful, happy life... then that is what I will cherish the most, together with you, my child."

Joseph wiped his tears and took a deep breath, calming himself. His curiosity returned.

"Grandpa... I have another question, and I hope you don’t mind. Why do you always come here to the flowers? I see you talking to them often... do they speak back? Can one really ask things or make wishes to them?"

Grandpa Zion let out a soft laugh.

**"You really are funny sometimes, my boy. Is it forbidden to talk to beautiful flowers? They are like people who possess a rare beauty that you only get to see once in a lifetime.

And besides... I have truly loved plants and taking care of them ever since. This habit has been with me since long ago... since She was here. Because these were Her favorite flowers. To me, they still hold life and spirit, just like when she was here..."**

Joseph tilted his head, listening intently.

**"Since She was here...? Who is this person you mentioned earlier, Grandpa? Who is 'She'? Is she your first love? The first person you gave your heart to?

I know you loved painting too, and you said you would never exchange that passion for anything else... isn’t that right? So why did your passion change? Why do you love gardening and caring for flowers now, and why is the Daisy the only flower you truly cherish above all others?

What is so special about them, Grandpa? Please... may I know?"**

A heavy silence fell. Zion looked at the daisies swaying in the wind, and sadness filled his eyes. Tears slowly formed at the corners of his eyes.

"You know, my child... if you ask what I wish I could change... it is not who I am or what I have. What I truly wish is that the past — the mistakes I made and the things I deeply regret most in my entire life — had never happened at all..."

Joseph stepped closer, his heart aching seeing his grandfather cry.

"Ah... Grandpa... what else is there about her? Why is she so incredibly important and valuable to you?"

Zion wiped his face and looked at Joseph with eyes that held the weight of many years.

**"You see, grandson... your experiences are still so far behind mine. You are still young, while I was already a grown man when all this happened.

To tell you the truth... the love and devotion of a virtuous woman hold so much meaning and worth. Far more than a worthless man who failed everything... a man who had everything, yet lost the one thing he regrets losing more than anything else in the world.

What you are pointing to... is the woman who was my first love. The woman I loved more than anything in this world, the most important person in my entire life. But... everything changed, and everything was taken away from me... the moment She was gone."**

"The Poem"

"Ah!! So that is the reason why you take care of these flowers! Because they were her favorite... or is it that this is all you have left of her now? When you look at them from afar, you imagine that she is still here with us, always staying by our side and guiding us. And Grandpa... what is the true meaning of the daisy flower? Why do you care for them so gently and well? And why do you always speak to them every time we come here to the garden?" — Joseph asked with curiosity and understanding.

**"You know, my grandson... it is true that the precious memories and happy experiences she left behind hold immense value. That is why you ask what this flower truly symbolizes. The daisy represents a person who is sincere and pure of heart. It stands for true love, faithfulness, joy, and friendship. But above all else, it embodies motherly love and a nurturing, caring nature.

These were exactly the qualities she possessed. Her character was just like this flower — they are truly one and the same, my child. This is what I want you to understand: if you ever find something or someone extremely precious to you, you must cherish it deeply and be proud of it. For those precious things are the only ones that will truly change you and give your life meaning.

And if I were to compare her to art... I could paint her portrait, capturing her face and bringing it fully to life on a canvas. You know, to me, she was a masterpiece — a work of art so magnificent that anyone who saw her would never forget her, and everyone would admire her endlessly. That was the measure of her greatness back then. She became a hero to the entire kingdom. She stood as the protector of all her people.

She was a woman without fear, who placed her trust in God, and who fought fiercely for truth and justice. Whenever anyone tried to oppress or abuse the people, she stood up for them. She was a true warrior. Yet, she was still so very young to be fighting wars against other kingdoms. Instead of weapons, she used the power of writing to free those who suffered and lived in misery under foreign rule. She helped them because she was blessed with extraordinary wisdom and talent that everyone admired.

She used her gift to write poetry — words that captured the hearts of all who read them — all for the sake of bringing freedom to her subjects, who had become nothing more than slaves to other lands. The Princess wrote her poems often, and always sent them to the Kingdom of Romania, which was known as the most fierce and powerful among the five great realms. Among them, only the Kingdom of Alfonso was the largest in size, and it was known for its kind and gentle people compared to the other kingdoms...

Every time the Princess wrote, it was as if she was bringing hope and change to the whole Kingdom of Alfonso... but... because of everything that happened to her back then... it is something I truly, deeply regret for the rest of my life, my child..."**

... and as those painful words left his lips, tears began to fall from his eyes.

"The Last Letter"

"Why is that, Grandpa? Is it because she is gone that you feel such deep regret in the end? Did you make a mistake back then?" — asked Joseph.

"Yes, my grandson... I have committed a great wrong against her, do you know that? Until now, I deeply regret everything that happened. I was one of the right-hand men of her father, and I was appointed as the guardian of their only child — and that was Princess Alice.

She was the very first woman I ever knew, the most beautiful in the entire kingdom, yet also the most spirited and stubborn. I was older than her by only about four years. By the time she was eighteen years old, I knew her as an independent young woman — kind, brilliant, and the worthy successor next in line to protect the throne. Above all, she was incredibly brave. That is how I knew her.

And during those days, that was the very last time we spoke and saw each other... because of what happened at the palace back then. Enemies from the Kingdom of Kenya attacked — fierce and merciless people who killed without hesitation.

On that day, I wished that I had been the one to fight, to defend the palace and its people. I wanted to take her away to safety... but I could not do it. Not because I was a coward, but because she pushed me away. She sent me through a hidden, narrow passage — a secret door that no one else knew existed.

She sacrificed her own life just to save me, as well as the people she managed to rescue and bring out of their kingdom. On that day, there was nothing more I could do. She locked the iron gate from the inside, and no matter how hard I tried, I could never open it again.

During our final moments together, she told me that I needed to stay alive, because there was still so much I could do to help others. She told me that I should marry, start a family, and live a happy life... because I had never experienced having a family of my own. She chose to let me live and be happy, while she stayed behind to fight and defend her kingdom.

But before she left, she gave me a letter... and the only thing I had given her in return was a necklace — the very same necklace that was the only memory I had left of my own mother. I do not know where it is now... it is gone, along with her last breath.

She told me that this letter must only be opened at the appointed time — when everything had become clear, when people were finally free, and when everyone’s lives had become peaceful and quiet."

"Grandpa... what was inside that letter? What was written there that could change you so much?" — Joseph asked curiously.

"You know, my child... what was written in that letter contained everything I needed to do to change myself..."

"And what was that, Grandpa? Tell me... so I can understand, and maybe even help you..."

Grandpa Zion smiled softly.

"My grandson... I have never read that final letter yet. I have never even opened the box it is kept in... So... if you really want to know, go to my room and look for it. It is hidden inside a box at the bottom of the cabinet. Bring it here, and together we shall see and read what is written inside..." — Grandpa instructed with a gentle smile.

Joseph immediately ran back to the house, straight to his grandfather’s room, and searched for the box... He found it right away. Quickly, he ran back down the house and rushed towards the garden, running as fast as he could.

"Grandpa! Here is the box!" — he shouted, waving it with both hands.

"Slow down, my child! Be careful when you run... you might trip or bump into something!" — Grandpa Zion warned.

"Grandpa, here it is! I have the box!"

"Why are you in such a hurry, my grandson? It seems you are far too excited."

Joseph smiled widely. "I am rushing, Grandpa, simply because I am so happy! I am really excited to find out what is inside that box!"

"Ahhh... I can clearly see how happy you are, my child. Very well then... I shall open it now, so we can read and see what this letter says, and what else lies inside this box..."

"Yes, Grandpa!"

... and both of them shared a happy and eager smile.