Her large gentle friend lay beside the daisy and tried to nuzzle her gently. But he saw his nose was bloody and torn and he pulled away, embarrassed by his condition. The little flower softly called him and, when he turned once more to face her, she opened her tiny petals as wide as she was able and laid them on his nose, to keep him warm. She spoke to him with love and told him of happier days and of all the stories he had heard time and time before. Then she sang to him until her voice grew hoarse. Coley smiled. Then he drew a final breath and his spirit left the mountaintop.
The day slowly peaked and ended and the chill of the night descended upon the pair. Daisy would not close her petals to protect herself from the bitter cold. She guarded her friend. When the moon was full it saw the little flower and tried to rouse her before she froze to death. It was too late.
The love shared by this strange couple was seen and remembered. Their passing was mourned by the earth itself. Though her tears fell fast mother earth was warmed by the bond between them. And she responded. She scattered millions of daisies across the world. Then she painted them red but only under their petals, so the colour would be visible only when they slept. They are red to remind us of Daisy when she covered her dear Coley’s blood streaked nose to keep him warm. They are red to show us that a gesture of love, as small as the petal of a daisy can have great meaning, but, if we combine all those little acts of love, that love can fill the earth – just like daisies.
c. Emer O’Donnell 2005
The Burren and Beyond 