Thank you for uplifting me
一次特别的对话
By Wang Yufeng in Dec. 2019
Due to some classrooms being maintained and changed on Monday, my room was temporally used by Mr. Kodwani.
When Mr. Kodwani came in to my room, I had just begun to arrange a bunch of flowers for one of my friends as well as my colleague.
I apologized immediately to Mr. Kodwani.
“Would you mind if I stayed in the room for 5 more minutes? I thought one of our colleagues is really upset. So, I am going to send her a bunch of flowers to make her feel cared.” I told Mr. Kodwani, “I am just beginning to arrange and I promise that I will finish it in 5 minutes.”
After 5 minutes, I completed the bouquet. Mr. Kodwani saw my work and he was very surprised, “Oh, did you do magic? How did you conjure this flower bouquet in a few minutes? It is so professional. Have you taken a florist course?”
“No.” Said I.
“Did you work in flower shop as part time?” Asked Mr. Kodwani.
“No.” Was my reply.
“How…” Wondered Mr. Kodwani.
“Nobody taught me any skill of floriculture. I like flowers, I like floriculture. It’s so enjoyable when I arrange flowers.” I told Mr. Kodwani.
“Amazing!” He said.
“Would you like to have a look at more of my works?” I was getting a little preening and wanted to show off at that moment.
“Sure！”Mr. Kodwani said.
I opened my online photo album and showed him some of my flower baskets, bouquets, table flowers as well some floriculture workshops I had hosted.
“You should run a flower shop. You have talent of florist.” Mr. Kodwani said.
“Floriculture is just my hobby and it brings me a lot of happiness.Therefore, I wouldn’t like to link my hobby to making money. I am worried I would lose my joy once it becomes into my work.” I told Mr. Mr. Kodwani.
“No, Ms. Wang,” Said Mr. Kodwani, “I disagree with you about this opinion. If work and hobby could be combined, you would gain more happiness.”
“I don’t have any business experience and skills. I would never run a flower shop.” I insisted.
“Well, Ms. Wang, I will tell you a story.” Mr. Kodwani said.
“Around 35 years ago, Jenny was a receptionist in my father’s company in Dubai. Every day her work was answering the phone, collecting letter etc. However, those weren’t what she really like to do. She liked flowers very much. After she had worked for 12 years in my father company, she resigned and started her own flowers shop. My father asked Jenny if she had been ready but Jenny said ‘Not yet, but I really like floriculture so I want to work with flowers everyday’. So far, Jenny’s busyness has moved out of Dubai. Jenny Flower has become a global brand.”
“Really? Are you making this story for encouraging me? Your father’s company? Does it mean your father knew Jenny? You are so gentle and nice but I know it is just a story.” Said I. Now, it is my turn to be surprised.
Mr. Kodwani realized since I didn’t believe this story to be true, he showed the website to me, “See, here. You can research Jenny Flower on the internet.” He said.
I got that it isn’t a “story” once I accessed the website of “Jenny Flower”.
“I am flattered. Thank you for your encouragement. Mr. Kodwani. I know myself. I am not artistic at all.You never know that I tried to draw a duck but it would look like a chicken at last.” I uttered
“Art comes from within. Great artists usually come from their nature, not by learning. Ten thousands of practices wouldn’t make out an artist. You have done fantastic pieces of flower art. Those works have showed you have the gifts. So just start it please.” Was Mr. Kodwani’s suggestion.
“Students were coming, we have to stop our conversation.” Mr. Kodwani said, “Ms. Wang, last words, Jenney’s story is a real story and you also can.”
“Mr. Kodwani. If you were Jackie Ma（马云）or an investor, I would start my flower business right now.” Said I. “Ha, ha, ha, I am kidding you, dear Mr. Kodwani. Thank you for telling me this story, thank you for trying to inspire me. No matter If I would own a flower shop or not, I would never forget our conversation that afternoon.”