The Moccasin Flower
© 2017 Beulah Peyton Bouzane
The moccasin flower – a symbol of bravery
is often said to be rare
a stubborn and beautiful wild orchid
standing proud when I found it there.
The moccasin flower, also known as Lady Slipper, is a North American wild orchid. It takes many years to grow and is very difficult to cultivate.
Native folklore tells the story of a brave, young maiden who ran barefoot through the woods looking for special medicines for her tribe. On her way back, tired and with bruised and swollen feet, she rested near a tall fir tree. The next year, beautiful pink moccasin flowers appeared around the base of the tree – a symbol of her bravery and a source for the medicines needed by her tribe.
What a wonderful feeling it was the morning I found this bunch of moccasin flowers as I walked along near the woods outside my home.
