Living Clocks

Luisa Kipchakbaeva 2

Wildflowers and forest flowers don't have clocks with springs or dials with hands, yet they tell the time with amazing precision.

The sun winds these living clocks. Time can only be determined by the flower clock on sunny, clear days.
In cloudy, rainy weather or heavy fog, flowers don't open, or they open unscheduled. This is how they conserve their precious pollen.

Plants are linked to the life rhythms of the insects that pollinate them. Every living organism strives to bear fruit, to continue life—this is the wisdom of nature.

The eastern sky turns a delicate pink. Rose hips open their red blossoms before anyone else, at 4:00 AM. Poppies awaken at 5:00 AM. Wild carnations, dandelions, and coltsfoot greet the sunrise at 6:00 AM.  Flax and potatoes are not far behind. The next hour of the green world's time service is announced by water lilies on the pond and bells.

    "Ding-ding-ding," ring the bells, joyfully welcoming a new sunny day.

    When midday arrives, the field thistle will signal, closing its inflorescences by this time. At three o'clock in the afternoon, chicory and potatoes will follow suit.

    The further west the sun sinks, the more plants "get ready to sleep." At five o'clock in the afternoon, marigolds close their petals, followed by the gentle slumber of water lilies, and at midnight, the bellflower will close its blue eyes.

  ...

The little nightingale sings with inspiration in the second hour of dawn. The lark awakens after it. It would be a sin to sleep through this blessed day of God!


At three o'clock, quail greet the approaching dawn. No more than a quarter of an hour passes, and the cuckoo, golden oriole, and bright tit awaken. And by four o'clock, the songs of the chaffinch, warbler, and bunting join the polyphonic chorus of birds. Following them, the starling and wagtail fly from their nests. Only one sparrow, the sleepyhead, sleeps until six in the morning.

If you love nature and are observant enough, you will always be well-versed in time and can easily tell the time.

By Luiza Kipchakbaeva