By Aileen Fisher
How does it know,
this little seed, if it is to grow
to a flower or weed,
if it is to be
a vine or shoot,
or grow to a tree with a long deep root?
A seed is so small
Where do you suppose
it stores up all
of the things it knows?
Activity: Be A Seed!
Isn’t it amazing that a flower we can touch, see, and smell grows out of the ground from a hard, tiny seed? A seed is a possibility, something that may happen but hasn’t yet. A flower is a wonder right now. Imagine how it feels to grow from a seed into a flower.
- Crouch down and fold yourself as small and tight as you can, like a tiny seed in the ground.
- You’ll need water to grow. I’ll give you some. [Use your fingers to sprinkle a little water, or pretend to use a watering can.]
- Now, extend one leg. This is your root. It grows down into the soil to absorb water and nutrients. Grow your root down to steady your plant in the soil.
- Your stem begins to grow up out of the soil, seeking sunlight. Slowly stretch your body upright. As you grow taller and stronger, leaves grow. Unfurl your arms and hands to be the leaves that absorb sunlight and convert it into food for a plant.
- The plant starts to grow a bud, which opens to become a beautiful flower. Your face represents the flower so turn it up to the sky.
Discussion Questions
- How many different kinds of flowers can you think of?
- Do you have a favorite kind of flower? What do you like about it?
Additional Activities
Download the Spring 2018 UUWorld Families Pages (pdf) for more activities.
Originally published in the “Families Weave a Tapestry of Faith” insert in the Spring 2018 Issue of The UUWorld.