Martha walked down the path to the Rose Bush. "I'll find out if that bee is telling the truth," she said.
"I am so glad you came," said a Rose, and as Martha looked it seemed that she could almost see the face of a little girl in its petals. "I wanted some one to talk to," said the Rose.
"So did I," said a Lily.
"We all are glad to see you," said a Tulip, "for we never have anyone to talk to."
"I never knew before that you could talk," said Martha.
"Of course we can," said the Rose, "but we are tired of telling stories to one another."
"Oh! can you tell stories?" asked Martha as she seated herself on the ground beside the flowers.
"Yes, indeed!" said the Rose. "I'll tell mine first."
"Did you ever hear how the Rose happened to have thorns?" she asked.
Martha said she never did, and the Rose said, "I will tell you."