A fable about the importance of communicating feelings.
Ian Iris was a handsome flower. He grew beautifully but inside he felt a stirring. No, it was more like an urge. You see, each time he saw Day Lily, he thought she was the most beautiful flower he’d ever seen.
He longed to be next to her and share the sunlight together.
However, Ian was afraid to tell her how he felt because it was more than an attraction. Ian secretly wondered what it would be like to be as beautiful as Day Lily. Was Ian doomed to be trapped as a Iris forever?
“Day is so beautiful,” Ian said to himself. “She was the most beautiful flower I’ve ever seen.
I want to spend more time with her. At least maybe I can feel what it’s like to be as beautiful as her. She’s brilliantly orange in color, and she’s so attractive.”
Ian often fantasized about being Day Lily during the spring. Because the other Iris flowers wouldn’t accept him as a Lily, Ian closed up emotionally when he had his urge and resorted to the standard pleasantries around his usual friends before moving on with his day. “This is so frustrating”, Ian thought. Frustration and anxiety would set in because he wasn’t able to express his true nature to be a Lily flower.
Meanwhile, Day Lily went on with her life unaware or Ian’s feelings. But as she spent time with Tom Tulip, she became increasingly bored because Tom was just not sensitive to her feelings. Day wondered if she’d ever find another flower that saw something special in her and wanted her as a partner.
One day, a gust of wind blew and when Day looked up, she saw Ian Iris there beside her.
“Hi, Day. How are you?”
“I am practically getting scattered to the wind! But, it’s good to see you!” Day wrapped her long, thin leaves around her lower stem for support against the gusty breeze.
Ian took a deep breath. Hesitantly, Ian replied, “I am okay, but I would be happier if you would be my special flower. I think about you all the time and I want to get to know you better.”
Day’s petals opened wide. She felt happy.
“That is wonderful,” she exclaimed. “I’ve been thinking the same thing about you!”Ian was so happy. They talked for hours which turned into days. In the bright sunshine they felt so close. Day loved how Ian would not only listen to her feelings but be surprisingly sensitive and compassionate.
But Ian felt it best to let Day know the truth that although he was attracted to Day, he secretly wanted to be a Lily like Day. He threw caution to the wind and said, “Day, I’ve got something to tell you. I really love you. I find you so beautiful.
“Day replied, “Awww. That’s so nice. Thank you for saying that. I was hoping you’d tell me.”
Ian sad, “But there’s something more. From the first moment I saw you…” Ian got quiet.
Day said, “It’s OK Ian, you can tell me anything.”
Ian just had to tell her. If anyone would understand, it would be her.
“I love you Day and I want to badly to be you. I’ve had these urges to be a Lily ever since I can remember and there’s no one else I’d like to do this with than right here with you.”
Day thought and measured her response before she replied. A slight tear dew fell down her beautiful orange petal. “Ian, I’ve always knew there was something different about you but I couldn’t quite pinpoint it but now I know. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I know it must have been so hard for you to tell me. I’m so flattered you feel this way. I actually think it’s kind of neat. Now I can have a boyfriend and girlfriend at the same time. LUCKY ME!”
Ian rejoiced and from that day forward, he and Day spent their days together, enjoying each other’s company in more ways than you’d expect.
Moral: Hesitation to share feelings often will cause you to miss out on the best things in life.
Ian Iris was afraid to share with Day Lily how he felt about her.
Although Ian had known Day for a while and thought she was quite attractive, he kept those feelings to himself. He thought about her frequently and realized he cared about her very much. Yet, he had convinced himself that the two of them wouldn’t become a couple because of his desires to be just like her. Ian believed that Day Lily would never like him after her shared his truth.
Although Ian’s and Day’s paths would occasionally cross, he would simply be polite and fail to mention how he felt about her. It was apparent that Ian had made some assumptions about Day that he hadn’t verified.
In the end, Ian shared his feelings with Day. When he was able to see and hear Day’s reaction to his honesty, he was thrilled with the results.
Like Ian, you may find yourself attracted to someone you occasionally see. You might be hesitant to share your feelings in fear of rejection. Or perhaps, like Ian, you might assume the person you’re interested in is already involved with someone else.
Sharing your true feelings can be pretty scary especially when you have allot to lose. You may be afraid that the person you’re interested (or love) in doesn’t share the same feelings.
However, if you avoid sharing how you feel, you may be passing up the opportunity for a great relationship.
YOUR TRUE FEELING WILL NEVER GO AWAY.
Even if it doesn’t turn out the way you had hoped, at least you were honest. Plus, you’ll finally know where you stand with that person and can stop wondering. Communicate earnestly with others. Who knows? A wonderful relationship could blossom.
Be Strong. 
