Tuesday, May 18, 2010

The Teacher & The Flower






Once there was a very smart teacher of medicine and healing. In fact, he knew so much about medicine and healing that he was made the God of it, and he was proud. He had a very smart student named Peon. But Peon was too smart, and he found some medicine that was better than the teacher's. The jealous teacher was outraged by his upstart student, and he planned to kill him. But the chief God Zeus heard about this and saved Peon's life by turning the teacher into a beautiful flower. They named the flower after the student, Peon. It was a Peony. As you may have guessed by now, this is all Greek Mythology, but it is how the Peony got it's name. Do you know what very tiny creature is always associated with the Peony? If you have ever grown them, I'm sure you do. On my next post I will show you this creature along with more peonies, and tell you their amazing story.



"As for man, his days are like grass,
he flourishes like a flower of the field;
the wind blows over it and it is gone,
and it's place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the Lord's love is with those who fear him...Psalm 103:15,17

11 comments:

Dawning Inspiration said...

I love peonies - their fragrance and their soft, vivid colors! I don't recall a pest on them though- waiting til tomorrow to learn!

Kilauea Poetry said...

Beautiful series! and this is cool! I love it..so appropriate, ha ha! I'm trying to be mature and resist doing a google search right now (lol)..I will stay tuned. These are so colorful and I haven't ever tried to grow them. Some suprise me and do well in the tropics. Lovely verses too!
Hey, I did leave a comment- thanks..you are hilarious!! I don't know what the heck I did in regard to the date posted..except when I was fiddling around in the draft?

DawnTreader said...

Beautiful flowers, and that's my favourite colour (well, one of).
Looking forward to more.

From the Kitchen said...

You have taught me something new this morning and included a beautiful visual. My grandmother had a beautiful bed of peonies in Roanoke. They are my favorite flower (well, I do have a lot of favorites) and I am well acquainted with the little creatures of which you speak. I'm looking forward to what you have to say about those creatures!!

Best,
Bonnie

MadSnapper said...

Maybe the creature is Ants? spiders? bees? ladybugs? am I getting warm with my guesses? can't wait. AWESOME photos, really awesome. Header is Spectacular!!!!
I can't help it, like Kilauea my google finger is itching. will let you know if i make it through til your next post.

RoeH said...

Takes me back to my mother. She loved these.

aspiritofsimplicity said...

I have never heard this story before. But, I love the flower Peony.

From the Kitchen said...

Ginny: My memory isn't that good. I wrote the "Mitford" essay when I got back--almost eight years ago!

Afton Mountain--gotta love it! I've driven it in fog, sleet and snow. I used to stop at a gift shop on the left headed to Charlottesville. Rockledge? Don't know if it's still there but I bought some Emerson Creek mugs that I still love.

Best,
Bonnie

SquirrelQueen said...

The peonies are so pretty and as I remember they have a lovely scent. A friend of mine years ago had peonies in her garden, I think I know the creature you are referring to.

Greek Mythology was a favorite of mine in my early college years but I had forgotten (or maybe never heard) this story.

George said...

I hadn't heard this story of how the Peony got its name. The story might be interesting, but the peony is absolutely beautiful.

Glenda said...

I had never heard this Greek myth; thanks for sharing! I always enjoyed teaching a unit of Greek mythology to my seventh graders.

Your photos are just beautiful!

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