Why Sunflowers Keep Seeds — By the dry creek, under dust that smelled like warm stones, Orin counted every crumb of pollen he could spare. Read the full story →
By the dry creek, under dust that smelled like warm stones, Orin counted every crumb of pollen he could spare. He wanted to leave supper for the tiny ground bees, but the wind kept whisking it away—puff, gone—before their sleepy feet could find it.
Then, just after moonrise, a night-moth landed on his heavy face. Her wings brushed him like paper. “Secret trade,” she whispered. “Hold the food tighter, and I’ll carry your yellow shine to the dark flowers.” Orin tucked each golden bit into his middle, packed close as a basket, and gave the moth only the glow from his petals.
Morning came with bees humming at his center, where the food had stayed safe. Nobody cheered; even the creek kept quiet. But from then on, sunflowers kept their gifts tucked in neat circles, for anyone hungry enough to come close—and if you inspect the spirals, you may catch Orin’s secret still packed there.
