In a small remote region, south of the great divide, lived a young man named Carlito. Carlito was a spirited boy that looked different from all of the other people in the region. He was fair and seemed to make the sun brighter. The difference didn't seem to matter because everyone loved little Carlito's spirited way. Carlito liked to play his favorite game "Kick the can" on the way to the market place. He would dance and kick left then right. The neighbors would say here comes the spirited one with his rolling road-musical football. This one afternoon Carlito decided he would kick the can clear around the great canyon and down into the marketplace. He danced off past the hills and tributaries on his new adventure.
**1**
Around the third peak he came across a little girl on the side of the road. She must have come from the north side of the canyon because he had never seen her before. "She is very different", Carlito thought. The little girl was sitting on the rise along side the road crying. Carlito stopped and asked her, "Why are you crying little girl". "Oh hello! Well if you look at me you can tell that I am very different", she replied. "Well so am I, and so is a blue rose", replied Carlito. "You are like a blue rose".
**2**
He pointed out over the country side where red roses grew in groves in that region. "The red rose is beautiful but the blue rose stands alone in it's beauty. You are like the blue rose", said Carlito. "Oh there is no such thing as a blue rose", she said. "Oh yes there is but you don't see many of them because they are so rare. Please don't cry."
**3**
She pointed to a small green sprig with purple horny thorns that was growing in a patch of dirt along the side of the road. "That's me", she said. Carlito put his arm around the little girl and she seemed to feel so at ease with his touch. They sat for a long while but she finally said, "Well I must go now", and she started up the path to the north side. Everyday, for a time, Carlito would take the path around the great canyon so he could sit with his little friend and comfort her, but she would always point to the little green sprig with a sob.
**4**
One day Carlito was so excited about seeing her he didn't even kick the can. He ran and ran but she was not there today. He came the next day and the next, but she was still nowhere to be seen. He remembered how she doubted the existence of the blue rose everyday, and how she pointed to the little green thorny sprig. He was so concerned. He dug up the little green sprig that day and planted it in his mom's rock garden in the front yard. He missed his little friend so much. "I must find a blue rose, and then I will find her, and she will understand", Carlito thought.
**5**
Carlito told his mom that he must leave on a journey to find a blue rose. His mom, thinking that he was going out for a few hours to search the nearby hillsides, never thought of the extent of his journey. Carlito traveled for weeks through the countryside, the rain forests, and the mountain ranges, where it could be very dangerous for a little boy, but his mission was too important to let danger impede it. He would be a man. He ate berries and fruit, and drank the water from the many streams in that region.
**6**
After weeks of travel even Carlito's spirit began to fade. It was time to return home. His mom was so glad to see him, but he just seemed to be of broken spirit. The days went by and Carlito never left the house. His relatives came in from far and near, concerned for him. He was not eating. He would just lay there staring at the ceiling in his room. In the distance of the family room he could hear his mother sobbing in concern for his well being. It just reminded him of the way his little friend sobbed by the side of the road.
**7**
Just then, there was a knock on the front door. He heard a voice. "Can Carlito come out and play." It was her, his little friend. He could hear her voice. He sprang up with new spirit and rushed to the front of his home. There she was, standing in the doorway, in a shiny blue dress, with the smile of sunshine all over her face. "Carlito it's true. Oh! I've missed you so much." She hugged him. "You look very beautiful. Where have you been", Carlito asked? "I'm sorry I avoided you, but I got so tired of being a burden on you. I came to see the little green sprig by the side of the road after you passed by everyday. One day it was gone. Everyday I walked and walked hoping to find it somewhere.
**8**
This one special day, I passed by this house, and saw the little green sprig planted in the rock garden. I knew this had to be your house. I visited our sprig everyday. It grew and grew, and one day it blossomed. Look Carlito." Carlito looked to the rock garden, and there on the top of a majestic stalk was the most beautiful BLUE ROSE, standing tall and alone in it's beauty and splendor.
**9**
They held hands and sat in the rock garden and stared at the blue rose. His mother was very pleased. "You know, you never told me your name", Carlito said as he stared at this wonder. "Rosa", she replied. "But I no longer feel alone and blue." At that moment the blue rose began to open, and became red with love and passion. Carlito and Rosa knew that this must be why the blue rose is so rare. It was indeed a special day. * *
**10**
| Date | Name | Comment |
| Saturday, December 26, 1998 | RAff | This is avery beautiful tale it really hit home with me because for the longesttime I have been searching for the blue rose and everwhere I turn I always get shot down the reason that I've wanted the rose so bad is because my girlfriend has wanted on for over thirteen years and noone could ever find it for her. So this story really touched base with me thank you for giving me a little hope and I will persue my assperations to find this rarity that has so far non existant. |
| Tuesday, November 10, 1998 | David Edwards | I have to say, Charles, that this affects me deeply - I've written short stories like this of my own, and you have captured so much of the poignancy I've been seeking to encapsulate in my own tales. Whether you would agree with the definition of "short story" for some of my epics is a moot point, but the intention has been to recreate much of the spirit that lies within this tale ... this is an area you could expand upon, Charles, if you find time upon your side, because these words prove once and for all that you possess a rare and precious sensitivity of the soul, all too rare, too precious and too infrequently appreciated in this age. Someday I hope to acquire some of these gifts in good measure myself, and I can think of few better to whom a novice could turn ...In fact, the more I contemplate this tale, the more I begin to treasure it ... once again, continue to enthral us, Charles, however you choose so to do! |
| Saturday, October 3, 1998 | Lady Leigh | What a lovely story....If it isn't published, it should be.... |
| Saturday, October 3, 1998 | Azara_ | WOW . . . . . lovely story. Did you draw the pictures too? Just was wondering if you've ever actually seen a blue rose. I have one growing in my parents back yard My dad takes special care to keep it alive cause it reminds him of me. And this story reminds me of him. Thanx |
| Saturday, October 3, 1998 | David Edwards | Dear Charles - you're a storyteller as well! Such a sweet tale - ever considered compiling an anthology of such tales as a childrens' book? I'm sure it would sell! In fact, I've written a short story of this kind myself, which incidentally was partially inspired by your "White Rock Fairy" picture for a friend who was involved in a car crash, and if you like I could send you a copy to read - it might spur you on to complete your anthology! I'm sure there are others apart from myself who would like to see more of your tales! |
| Wednesday, September 16, 1998 | Daniel | Cool story,...!!!! |
| Sunday, August 9, 1998 | Cinderella | This is a very lovely story... I'm going to link it to my page... |
| Friday, July 31, 1998 | martuit@ifn.net | I truly loved this story and your web site, thank you for making my day |
| Sunday, July 5, 1998 | K.L.W. | I just love the story.I think it is so beautiful.First sad.then it was romantic. |
| Tuesday, June 30, 1998 | Melissa Aston-Munslow | Charles I think that the Blue Rose story is wonderful and 'sad' but don't worie I'm just about to Check my E-mail.....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
| June 17, 1998 | Laria | I've always loved the idea of a blue rose, and they're beautiful... |
| June 11, 1998 | ccea | This a wonderful story,and I have a special person,i will pass in onto,thankyou,for such a beautiul story :)Got anymore,like this,i luve this kind of stuff.:)CCEA |
| May 4, 1998 | Tasia Autumn Moondance | This is the most beautiful short story I have ever read. I will definitely tell others about it! |
| April 24, 1998 | Monica Chamorro | You know what? made me cry with this! still shaking...It's just my story! and I cannot believe you wrote that in 1995. Did you publish it? please let me know, I'll get it! And I never met such a talented man. never change. You're the one. |
| April 14, 1998 | Eugenia | Ths is so emotive, I love it!!! |
| April 13, 1998 | pixie | that is the sweetest story ever. absence made the heart grow fonder. absence is what made the blue rose bloom and love of course! |
| April 2, 1998 | Marsha | I truely loved this little fable. Somewhere out there our true love will be! There is always hope. Thankyou! |
| March 28, 1998 | Diane | Hi Charles,..........I was fascinated by your story about the Blue Rose. I have been known as The Blue Rose for about 3 years because of a poem I wrote about them. I am always so amazed when I see other tales and references to Blue Roses (I loved the graphic, too!) When you get a chance, please let me know how the Blue Rose story came about. Tks............DBlueRose |
| March 28, 1998 | Linda Paul | Where do you get all your wonderful ideas. This was enchanting. |
| March 28, 1998 | Samone | Yes! My sign on is actually Blue Rose Soul!I Adored your story! Oh thank you so very much for sharing it! have you published it yet? If so please tell me the publishing house, I'd love to buy myself a copy.Just, cant get over the beauty of the story! Was like it was written for me.Thanks again for your work.........and Lovely web site!....Blessings to you and yours,Samone |
| March 21, 1998 | Samantha & Moonwind | If every person in the world could add such wonder and beauty such as you have in your Gallery then the world might be a better place for all of us let alone the children of the world. Thank you for the pleasure your story gave my daughter and me! |
| March 18, 1998 | tasneem | great |
| March 15, 1998 | dandil 6074 | i liked the story very much and the art was great! |
| February 18, 1998 | VIRGINIA O'CONNOR | IT IS INDEED A SPECIAL DAY. THANKS FOR THE STORY |
| February 13, 1998 | Robin | a very touching story. for years I have looked for a blue rose in my life, and I have recently found it, your story reminded me of what a special thing it is |
| January 16, 1998 | Carol | Mr. Faris, I thought your story was rather inspiring. I too have been looking for a Blue Rose in my life. I know now where they are, where the love is. Thank you for sharing. |
| 1/1/98 | Susanne | Charles ~ This is a beautiful little tale, I would like to print it out for my daughter, who is in a residential treatment center (age 13)... do you have it in a more printable form? ~ Susanne |
| Dec 16 | Tara | Thank you Charles...I enjoyed reading your little story. I will definately add the link on my Poetry & Literature page. |
¾¾¾