On one of the cold autumn days in a corner of Kabul, there lived a girl named Parisa. She was 12 years old and, due to poverty and economic difficulties, had to go out to the streets early in the morning to sell flowers. Every day, Parisa would take a small basket filled with wildflowers she gathered from around the city to the central square. Among the flowers, she found beauty and hope, and by selling them, she tried to improve her family’s situation.
Parisa’s father, who had previously worked as a construction worker, had become unemployed due to an injury. Her mother was also seriously ill and unable to work. Because of these responsibilities, Parisa never had the chance to go to school and continue her education. She kept all her dreams hidden in her heart: “Dreams of education, freedom, and a better life.”
One day, Parisa decided to sell her flowers at a lower price to attract more customers. In the following days, with tireless effort, she brought her flowers to the people. However, no one appreciated them, and most of the time she returned home empty-handed.
One night, when Parisa returned home, she noticed that her mother’s condition had worsened. She sadly approached her mother’s bedside and realized they could no longer afford medicine. Tears welled up in her eyes as she wished she could bear the pain her family was enduring.
The next morning, with a broken heart, Parisa went back to the streets. This time instead of selling flowers, she visited shops and asked if they could help her in any way. Wherever she went, she faced indifference and coldness. Exhausted and hopeless, Parisa sat on the side of the street, looking with tear-filled eyes at the life that hurt her every second as it passed by.
That evening, when Parisa returned home, her mother was no longer by her side. Her death shattered Parisa’s heart and left her in a world of darkness. Not only did she no longer bear the responsibility of her family, but now she was alone and vulnerable in a harsh and merciless world.
However, Parisa decided to continue living. In memory of her mother, she persevered in her efforts, hoping that one day she could change her life. Her heart was filled with sorrow, but with memories of her mother, she continued to gather flowers and move forward in life. Hope and love for life gave Parisa the strength to spread light wherever she went.
