Yae Madhu was brimming with joy. The Wishing Star had granted her and Sarava's wish and they would soon be blessed with children. Sarava was pleased, to be sure, but Yae had been absolutely beside herself with excitement. She just couldn't sit still, and her mind raced with thoughts of the future and their soon-to-be family. She had woken early, unable to get back to sleep for all the thoughts running through her head. She didn't want to bother Sarava as she slept, so Yea Madhu had set out to take a walk alone to try and clear her mind and calm herself. Though Sarava was kind and told Yea her excitement was sweet and adorable, Yae knew that her energy could sometimes be a bit too much, and didn't want to annoy Sarava.
The summer heat had fully set in, and the flowers were in full bloom. Bees and butterflies were busy at work collecting nectar and pollen, floating from one flower to another. It was Yae's favorite time of year, and she was thrilled that their children would be born surrounded by such beauty. It was as if the earth was celebrating with them. The flowers were so abundant, Yae thought she might pick just a few to bring home and share with Sarava. Perhaps they could be a welcome gift to their new foals. As she wandered, she would bend down here and there, carefully selecting blooms that caught her eye. Some daisies here, over there a patch of daffodils, a couple of rust-red sunflowers, a gorgeous peony with layers and layers of petals, some lavender sprigs, and a few little bundles of forget-me-nots. Adding in some foliage to flesh it all out, she fashioned a knot out of a jasmine vine, bundling them all together to form a beautiful and fragrant bouquet.
Please with her collection, and feeling a little calmer after focusing on the task of flower-gathering, Yae Madhu turned to head back home. As she passed by a field of lilac bushes, another mare raised her head to look at Yae. This mare had flowers strewn throughout her mane and tail, a satchel slung over her back with bundles of flowers sticking out, and tools and twine spilling out of small pockets on the bag. She smiled at Yae and bowed her head to her. “Hello there! I hope you are enjoying this lovely summer day!” The mare looked Yae over and caught sight of her bouquet. A smile spread across her face, and she started walking towards Yae. “A lovely collection of blooms you have there. A gift for a loved one?”
Yea smiled at the mare, and turned, showing her the bouquet she had made. “Yes, they are for my mate. We are expecting soon, and I thought these would be nice for her and our future children to enjoy. I've been very excited about it.” She giggled and sniffed the heavenly scent of the peony.
The flowery mare smiled back at Yea and eyed the blooms in her bouquet. “They all have meaning, you know. And you've picked some incredibly poignant flowers for this next stage of your life.” Yae's eyes widened as she looked at her bouquet, wondering what she had really picked and what they meant. She looked back at the other mare curiously. “What do they mean?” Yae asked.
The stranger stepped forward again, close enough to point out each flower in Yae's bouquet. At each one, she gave an explanation. “The jasmine vine ties the flowers together. This is grace and charm, the love between you and your partner that holds the whole thing together. You picked yellow daffodils that represent renewal and fresh starts, clearly representing this new journey of parenthood. White daisies also represent new beginnings, but also the innocence and purity of youth. Red sunflowers represent joy, which I can feel just pouring out of you, and your deep love for your partner. Forget-Me-Nots represent true love, which you have for your mate, and already for your unborn children. Lavender is for peace and serenity, and the beautiful pink peony represents prosperity and good fortune.” The mare smiled widely at Yae. “All in all, a wonderful gift for this new journey ahead of you! I'm sure your mate will appreciate it.”
The flowery mare bowed her head and turned from Yae. Yae beamed at her flowers, happy that she had unknowingly picked such appropriate blooms for this stage of their lives. She turned back to thank the mare for her explanation, but she had disappeared and was nowhere to be seen. Confused but at peace, Yae turned back toward home, still excited but a bit more calm about what was about to come.
