PHOTOGRAPHY

Water Lilies Rise with the Sun

November Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Collecting Smiles!”

Water lilies smile at the sun.

If water were the sky, water lilies would surely be the stars, except for one thing — Water lilies close with the coming of night and open with the birth of each new day. They smile in the daytime. Their smile grows brighter, and their petals open wider according to the brightness of the light.

They have good reason to smile. They play an essential role in the aquatic ecosystem. They gently rest upon the water’s surface, and their flowers and pads provide shade. This keeps the water cooler and prevents algae that thrive in heat from growing in excess.

They shelter my koi from predatory birds and the sun’s heat. There are egrets and herons in this area who would love to feast on my fish, but water lilies and a little bridge over the pond protect them. That makes my koi smile, too.

In spirituality, they symbolize resurrection because they close at night and reopen in the morning. Buddhists believe water lilies represent enlightenment because beautiful blooms emerge from the dark mud.

Impressionist painter Claude Monet painted over 250 pieces that featured water lilies, several of which are among his most famous works of art. I can certainly see why he liked painting them. Over a hundred years later, his paintings continue to make people smile.

Thank you for reading.

Mia Verita, 2022

This sweet story shows how water lilies bring smiles to the faces of children in Gaibandha.

Thank you, Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, for this lovely November prompt.

Thank you, Mary Chang Story Writer, Sandi Parsons, Ellie Jacobson, and Vidya Sury, Collecting Smiles, for giving these water lilies a place to smile.

Mia Verita enjoys watching water lilies grow and smile in the sunlight. She enjoys photography, sketching, writing poetry, and sharing inspirational stories.

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