by Ned
Arther was in love and to show how big his love was he wanted to present his girlfriend with the biggest flower in the world.
So, he went to Kew Gardens in London to begin his search. There he found a strange, exotic flower called Heliconia.
“Are you the biggest flower in the world?”
“No, not I, but you can find it where I come from in the rainforest of Malaysia.”
Now, apart from talking to flowers, Arther could of course fly using anti-gravity cream, since it’s easy when you know how!
However, Arther liked to fit in with normal people and do normal things, so he flew with Malaysian Airlines to Kuala Lumpur.
Arther arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport where he immediately felt the presence of the rainforest because of the abundance of trees and plants that greeted him.
Once in KL, Arther went to the Twin Towers to look across the land from the tallest buildings in the world. He could see the city sat in a country of green rainforest. The twins directed him to venture into the forest in his search for the biggest flower in the world.
As Arther set off into the forest, he met a strange looking bird.
“Wow! What are you?” asked Arther.
“I’m a Hornbill,” said the bird.
“I’m Arther,” said Arther, “and I’m searching for the biggest flower in the world.”
The Hornbill directed him further into the forest.
“It’s in there somewhere, keep asking as you go.”
Arther walked until he met a tree with a cup tied to it’s trunk.
“Hi,” said Arther, “I’m searching for the biggest flower in the world and by the way, what’s that cup for?”
The tree explained that it was a rubber tree and how it would fill the cup with latex which was used to make rubber.
“Just keep going. It’s that way somewhere,” said the rubber tree.
Arther continued on his way when something fell and just missed his head.
Arther picked it up.
“Sorry, “ it said, “I’m a Durian, King of fruit and when I’m ready to fall, I fall!”
“Wow!” said Arther, “I’ve heard about you. Aren’t you a bit smelly?”
“Yeah!” said the Durian, “just like a good cheese, I can be an acquired taste. Anyway, word has it you’re looking for the biggest flower in the world. Just keep going, you’re on the right track.”
Of course, Arther wasn’t shocked by such things as talking Durian and followed the instruction to carry on.
“Ssssssss!”
There was a sound in the grass.
“Ssssssss!”
Arther was momentarily startled.
“It’s only me, a snake in the the grass with my ear to the ground,” explained a huge python, “I didn’t want you to step on me. I hear you’re looking for the biggest flower in the world. Keep on going, you’re on the right path.”
Well, Arther went merrily about his way and continued to meet new friends willing to guide him on his journey.
“Swing this way!” said the Monkey.
“Follow your nose!” said the Elephant.
“Keep right on!” recommended the Rhino.
“Grrrrrrr!!! That way, grrrrrrr,” purred the tiger.
“Sniff, lick, sniff, carry on, keep going, lick” sniffed the Ant-Eater.
“Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, that way,” yawned the Crocodile.
“That way, keep on an’ on an’ on,” pointed out the Porcupine.
Arther even asked the fish which burbled and gurgled toward the same direction.
It rained heavily so Arther took cover beneath the big tropical leaves.
Suddenly Arther felt hungry and when he spotted a tasty looking mushroom, he could not resist a nibble.
Wow!
Arther suddenly felt strange...
....as if he was becoming....
...part of the forest.
The next thing he knew, someone was looking down at him and gently pouring a refreshing drink into his mouth. The mushroom had been poisonous, but a local Negrito tribesman was administering a herbal medicine made from the forest plants.
To help Arther come to his senses, the Negrito gave him a blow-pipe lesson. Arther aimed and shot the dart into a tree.
Wow! that was fun. Arther followed the dart to it’s target and guess what? Just beyond the tree was huge flower on the floor
It was big and beautiful. The Rafflesia…………..the biggest flower in the world!
Exhausted by his adventures, Arther rested the night in one of the huts in the Negritos village.
The following day he returned to the biggest flower in the world, only to discover an awful smell. You see this flower, the Rafflesia, only blooms for a couple of days before it begins to rot and decay; symbolic of nature’s fragile beauty. The flower would always remain within the confines of the rainforest adding to the continued preservation of this natural environment.
Arther drew and photographed the Rafflesia as it clung to it’s final moments of beauty.
He now had tales of great adventure to present to his girlfriend and next time she too could join him and share the experience of the rainforest while searching for the biggest flower in the world.
That's all for now folks!
