Sunflowers for Friends

The gentle wind tickled Russia’s face instead of whipped it, and the tall nation grinned with delight as the bright sun warmed his pale face. Though General Winter still haunted the edges of his memory, the embrace of the summer breeze was able to keep the frigid dread at bay.

As he turned down the street and emerged from the town, Russia was met with a wide sea of gold, speckled with infinite dots of black. The spicy aroma of the soil surrounded Russia as he entered the field and he quietly sang a song to himself about the joys of summer and the happiness the sunflowers brought.

Russia wished that others could be as happy as he was right now, and the only way he imagined such gladness could be transferred, was with these very sunflowers. So he proceeded to search the field for flowers to give to his friends, so that they would smile and sing too.

First, one for Ukraine, his older sister, who might not be the prettiest but was very nice and big…hearted. And then a flower for his little sister Belarus; she was much prettier than Ukraine, and while she wasn’t as nice as her older sister, Russia loved her just as much.

But what about his other friends? It wouldn’t be fair to them if he brought back flowers for just his sisters. They would be so sad that Russia didn’t care enough to bring them a beautiful sunflower. So Russia picked another flower, this one for Lithuania, one of his most dependable and loyal friends. Naturally, if Lithuania got a flower, so should Latvia -his cute, well-meaning friend- and Estonia –his very smart and helpful friend.

Then there were all of his new friends to consider. There was one flower for Poland, who could always make him laugh. Another for eccentric and mischievous Romania, who believed in curses as much as Russia did. Bulgaria would get a flower as well, even if he was a bit impulsive, because Russia found Bulgaria’s unpredictability to be exciting and lively. He picked a pretty flower for Hungary, who was as beautiful as Belarus and as nice as Ukraine. With a laugh Russia found another flower for Czechoslovakia because, even though she was as pretty as Ukraine and as nice as Belarus, she was a wonderful drinking buddy.

And finally, Russia searched the entire field for the biggest and most beautiful sunflower in existence. That golden flower would go to his oldest and most beloved friend, Prussia.

Gathering up his eleven flowers in big arms, Russia made his way back to his home and hummed a song to himself as he traveled. He couldn’t contain the grin that slowly spread across his face, and soon Russia’s chest was as warm as the sun above.

It felt so good to have so many friends!