The Life of Li

 

Her name is pronouced Lee.

It was a saturday morning when I first saw her.

I was on the garden balcony talking on the phone. I don’t know why, but with a cordless phone, it seems to be natural to walk while one is talking..

then I noticed that she was very shyly trying to rise over the water, between the leaves.

I had almost given up hope.. thinking that the bulb we had would not flower..

Yes, Li was my pet name to the Lilly.

then the hide and seek began.

Saturday afternoon:

I could see the bud slowly opening.. based on the changes since morning, I expected full bloom by Sunday morning.

but Li did not seem to be in a hurry.

sunday late afternoon:

I was confused. it aappeared that the bud was withdrawing into the water..

monday morning, quickly checked before leaving for the office and it was almost like the day before.

and then, I got a call from home – around 9 AM.

that Li was in full bloom!

and a picture taken with a phone..

I came home that evening, onky to see Li back into the water!

Tuesday:

left instructions at home to keep a watch on Li and capture her activities at regular intervals.

then, I would know what she is upto, while I was away..

morning around 8.30, she was up again, sloly opening up..

by 9.30, opened up some more

by 10, open fully..

but, notice, the tips of the petals are already seeming to get dry..

by evening, she was back to her comfort zone, all wrapped up and ready to retire for the day!

I was very happy to have figured out Li’s routine.

and, I would be better prepared for Day 3!

a more frequent watch was planned.

but the best shot we could get was:

she would not even come up.

So long, Li. R.I.P.

a couple of days later,

Li’s sister was out!

with the previous experience, my prediction was that she would bloom over the weekend – and I would not miss the opportunity to capture the secret life of Li 2.

 

and day 2 was similar.

so was day 3..

now, I know that these lillies stay in bloom for 2 days, for just a couple of hours every day.

and then, they go back into the water..

even after day 1. they seem to prefer to sleep underwater at night..

Li, now that everyone knows

how your life flows,

come back soon

and stay even beyond noon..