Page 7 - Contrast1962Decemberv1n1

Tho Scent of LiJ.Les

The sun felt good on little David's back as he strolled down
the street. He seemed to be aware of everything this aftGrnoon.
He could hear the slight breeze rustle tho loaves in the trees
overhead. He could feel the change of the air between the houses.
But he couldn't smell any flowers. His mother had always had a
beautiful garden with all kinds of flowers. David had loved each
one. He knew thmir names and shapes. He didn't have to touch
the flower to tell what kina it was-- nll he haOC to do was smell.
He remembered how surprised his second grade teacher had been when
he had wlaked right up to a vase of flowers and without touching
them asked, "Who brought in these marigolds? II She had never had a
blind child in har class before.

Now school was over. Hohnny had told him that Mrs. Morris
had the most beautiful flowers this year. He didn't know Mrs.
Morris but he knew which house she lived in-- the one with the fire
hydrant in front of it. He always remembered that fire hydrant
because there was a bump ~n the sidewalk that always tripped him.
Once he had hit his head on it--what a lump he had hadl He cringed
as he thought of it.

"Hi, Davylll A voice brought him back to the present--that was
old Mr. Bailey, one of his best friends. "Hi, Hr. Bailey I I can't
stop today. II Much as he liked Mr. Bailey he couldn't tell him
where he was going. This was his own private mission.

It would not be far now-- was it four or five houses? He started
counting the breezy SPaces between the buildings. One, two, three,
four ••• whoops, there was that bump. David's hand went to his
forehead automatically-_ it was undamaged. His otherK hand wnet
out to find the fire hydrant-- he was glad his head hadn't found
it first. Johnnie had told him that there was a fence of hedges •••
if he could just find the opening ••• he walked along, his hand
touching the bushes lightly ••• suddenly he felt metal-- he had
gone too far. About-face. He walked back untU the bushes ended
and he felt the sidewalk turn. He followed it. He could smell the
f10were a1ready-- it was just as Johnnie had told him. She had so
many different kinds that he could hardly distinguish them. He
explored the edges of the sidewalk with his feet. It was all grass,
until he got close to the house. His nostrils tingled with excite-
ment; he was standing over a small bed of lilies of the valley~
Je knelt carefully and stretched out his hand, his fingers lighting
on a stiff leaf; it seemed 50 protectivo. At its base he found the
stem. He followed it upward fingering each tiny be1l-- thore were
six. He buried his face in the bed-- thoy were so beautiful he

wanted to get as close as he could.
Suddenly he was aware of someone approaching. It was a woman--

it must be Mrs. Horris. A wave of panic flooded over him. Maybe
he should not have come-- after all, Mrs. Morris didx not know him,
but it was too late now. He hpped she wouldn't chase him. Ho decided
to be bravek. He stood up and faced tho direction from where he

had heard the footsteps.
"Hello. II David smiled hopefully.
Mrs. Morris was silent a moment. "Hello--'IIlhaatre you d~ing

here? Arc you lost?"