The meaning of Marigolds

There were once two good friends. Their names were Theodore and Nathan. Despite the fact that they had fought consistently over the most trivial of issues, they still kept their friendship strong. They decided to their love of arguing for wages against one another to make a sport of it. One of the arguments they had, was about the symbolism of a flower. A Marigold to be precise. Nathan said that its just a flower that has great symbolism towards the sun. Theodore believed that it had several symbolic means, with the symbolism of the sun being one of them. Nathan had told Theodore that he was crazy. There is no way a flower can have multiple meanings.

So, before they started their bickering, Theodore said this: "Let's make a bet of this. The loser has to buy the winner a meal at the tavern over there." Naturally, Nathan agreed to this. He followed up by asking how he had planned on accomplishing this goal. Theodore told him, let's walk through the park over there. Let's ask the people there what they think marigolds symbolize. Due to Nathan's hesitation to talking to people he his currently unfamiliar with, he didn't think that was a good idea. Theodore then asked: "If you have a better option, I'd be more than happy to hear it." Nathan just groaned and started walking to the park.

In this park there 10 individuals (excluding Theodore and Nathan naturally). There were two close friends, a man who looked like he was very wealthy, an emo girl, a painter, a business man, an elderly woman, a man who looked like he belonged in Woodstock, a woman who a cross on her neck and a woman of Hispanic decent.

They spoke to the hippie first. Considering that he looked like he would be the least aggressive of the bunch. He told Nathan and Theodore that he thinks that Marigolds make him of the sun's bright rays. Nathan thanked the man and started heading to the tavern nearby. Theodore asked him where he was going and Nathan said, to the tavern. I won the bet. Theodore reminded him that they only spoke to one person. There are nine more that they have to ask.

Once again, all Nathan could do was groan as he walked to the park. They asked the religious woman next. She told them that it reminds her of the offerings people leave at the church. Theodore thanked the woman with a smug look on his face. Nathan then said that was only one person and we still have eight more to go. They thanked the religious woman and continued walking.

They then asked the Hispanic woman and the old lady who were sitting on the bench together. The Hispanic woman told Nathan and Theodre that in her country, it symbolizes the remembrance and celebration of the dead. The old lady told them that it reminded her of the grief and despair of the loss of her late husband.

Theodore's face got smug again as he thanked them. Theodore then asked Nathan if he has proved his point or if they should continue asking the people of the park. Nathan told him that at this point, he's lost the bet. However, he would like to see what the other people in the park have to say.

Theodore and Nathan then asked the business men who were playing chess at one of the tables. When Theodore and Nathan asked them, the business man and the wealthy man gave two different answers. The wealthy man told them that it reminded him of his passion to become wealthy. The buisness man on the other hand said that it reminded him of the affections of others he has earned in the buisness world.

Theodore and Nathan then walked to the artist who was painting the emo girl. The artist told them that it was his first muse in creating his art. The emo girl said that it reminded her of her ex who had dumped her for a girl who wore a marigold in her hair. Theodore and Nathan thanked them as they started approaching the gentleman who seemed to be really good friends.

When Theodore and Nathan asked the two gentleman, they both said that they believe that marigolds help promote cheer and good relations in a relationship. Theodore and Nathan thanked them for their time as they started heading to the tavern nearby.

Nathan told Theodore: "Well, I know when I've been beat. Go ahead, order something off the menu." Theodore thanked him and said that he was acting a lot more pleasant about losing the bet than he was expecting.

Nathan told Theodore that at one point he would have. However, after talking to all these people, it made now made him think of something else entirely. Theodore asked what that is. Nathan then told him that when he sees marigolds, he will now think of the fact that he lost this bet and has made him a better man for it. Considering that we got the chance to talk to all of these wonderful people of different walks of life.

Theodore than told Nathan that he was very proud of him and that he was willing to drink to that. Theodore picked up his mug of ale (as did Nathan) and they both toasted to their friendship and the fact that they may have rough patches, but they are both glad that they are in each other's life.