By Karuna Dharini Devi Dasi
Sri Chaitanya-charitamrita metaphorically describes love of God as a creeper, or vine. The following story is based on that metaphor. I reared my head like a cobra, not to strike at someone but to catch the sun. Holding a jumbo glowing flower at the top of my green leaves, I dominated the garden with my presence. My name is False Prestige, and I call myself an Extra Plant (which sounds more flattering than Weed). I never wanted to be extra, or unwanted. How could I, False Prestige, not deserve the space I took in the garden? My roots dug down to grip the earth that bore my weight. Each root I sent into the soil contended with many others. Still I retained my big red bloom.